As we open our eyes in the early hours of the morning, staying in bed can somedays seem like a better option. As we think about the chaos that has encompassed our world in the last few days and years, we can feel not only overwhelmed, but find fear and uneasiness more familiar. We can lay there and think of our daily endeavors, the responsibilities, and make to-do lists in our mind that seem like impossible tasks. It’s those mornings where we might want to put the covers back over our heads and stay in bed a little while longer….
God gave me a beautiful vision of this very scene that I want to share with you all today.
It’s one of those mornings again, but this time when you open your eyes there is a large gate in front of you. As you peel away the covers and move closer, the gate keeper asks you, “what is the password?” After rattling off numbers and words, the gate keeper says, “I’m sorry, try again?” After complaining to the gate keeper that NOTHING is working and it’s impossible to know what it could be, you simply say, “thank you anyway,” and walk away. But as you turn your back you hear the gate start to open. “It was your thank you,” the gate keeper says with a smile. “Thank you” begins to flow out of your mouth again and again as you enter the gate. “Thank you, God, for your faithfulness, thank you for breath in my lungs and food on our table. Thank you, Lord, for you are good and your mercy is everlasting. Thank you for your love, your kindness and your word.” As you begin to think of all the things you are thankful for, suddenly your gratitude turns to praise and out of your mouth comes the song of the Lord as you walk across the courts. You sing songs of praise to the One who created you; the One who loves you. Your song turns to dancing as the joy of the Lord pours out of you like a flowing river of life that cannot be contained. As you dance across the stones of the courtyard, suddenly you fall to your knees as you come face to face with the Lord Almighty. In humility and awe, you are silent. Then a prayer of faith comes for the people, the nation, and for the world. Out of you comes a prayer of hope and a plea for the fear and worry to turn to trust. A plea that God would break your heart for what breaks His. It’s a moment of perfect peace as you lay it all at His feet and trust Him with every part of it.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
How often do we start our day with complaining, fear or worry of what we see around us? I do, quite too many times. But as the Lord reminded me how to enter His presence, I realize that entering His presence with complaining will not even get me past the gate. Now, I know we live free of the gates and courts and can come boldly to His throne without passwords and layers, but as we come into His presence, our thanksgiving and praise is a key that unlocks the door of faith. With the uncertainty of the world, which God sees every part, now is a time to come boldly to His throne with thanksgiving and praise and make our requests known to God! Now is a time to see with our eternal eyes and trust the hands that made our world. To trust the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. Now is a time we must enter His presence and pray with faith believing prayers for the nations, for our families, for the lost and hurting and trust the hands we give it to. Today, as we pray, let us first thank God for His goodness and praise His Holy name. It is in the place of thankfulness and praise that we will see the mountains move.
God gave me these words almost 3 years ago, but maybe they are for such a time as this.
Emily Rodewald 