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Psalm 100:4 "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

Psalm 95:2 "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to him with psalms."

Think

Remember those secret hideouts from childhood, hidden away where only a few knew the password? That single word granted entry to a place that felt exclusive and set apart. God’s presence is sort of like a hide out, but different—it isn’t hidden or exclusive, but it is holy, and thanksgiving is our “password” to enter into his courts. Psalm 100:4 shows us that gratitude unlocks a special access, not because God’s presence is isolated or out of reach, but because thanksgiving shifts our vision, helping us see from God’s perspective. It is a posture.

Thanksgiving isn’t a ritual; it’s a transformative act that opens our eyes to the fullness of God’s presence around us. When we approach him with gratitude, we step away from self-centered worries and into his larger view of grace, faithfulness, and purpose. It’s not that God is distant until we give thanks; rather, thanksgiving removes the barriers in our hearts, helping us experience his nearness and guiding us to see our lives as he sees them. It reframes challenges and blessings alike, grounding us in the truth that God’s presence permeates every moment, every place.

In God’s courts, gratitude becomes a way of connecting deeply with him, recognizing that his presence isn’t insulated from our everyday struggles or joys. Instead, it’s woven into each detail, and thanksgiving invites us to experience his comfort, wisdom, and peace in all things. So today, let thanksgiving be the “password” you use to approach him. As you offer thanks, even for small things, you’ll find yourself drawn closer to God, your perspective shifting to align with his. Thanksgiving becomes the doorway into a profound closeness, where his presence surrounds you, not as something remote, but as the very foundation of your peace and hope.

Apply

Start each day by listing three specific things you’re thankful for, no matter how big or small. Focus on his goodness and shape your perspective.

Pray

Lord, thank you for the gift of your presence and for all the ways you bless my life. Help me to enter each day with a heart full of gratitude, seeing your goodness in every moment. Teach me to come before you with thanksgiving and to trust in your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.