Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalm 100 (New International Version)

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ^[a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

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

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

We do not receive from God what we deserve. Instead, we receive blessings. Their number cannot be counted; their magnitude cannot be measured.

As a child things and experiences come to us. They seem natural, and we absorb them without a thought. Only later in life do we realize that we are the blessing God has given to our parents, their parents, and their friends. We are life that fills them with joy.

During some time we gradually change from child to adult. We change from the blessing to the receiver of blessing. This change never ends as throughout our lives we are a blessing to others. Still, we receive and receive and receive blessings from God.

God asks little of us in return. Merely to

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

God, help me to always acknowledge your blessings and give thanks. Help me to continue to serve as a blessing to others as well.