gates and courtyards

 Tuesday, June 9, 2026 (5:48 a.m.)

Holy God,

Thank You. Praise You. 

(5:57 a.m.)

Yes, indeed! Thank You. THANK YOU!

When all thoughts fail, start with “thank You.”

Those simple two words open gates. Into Your courtyards (Psalm 100:4).

Scrambling for something authentic to say to You, my thoughts branched out. First here. Then there. Covering a multitude of favorable circumstances and reasons for which to give You thanks.

It was turning in Your Word. Confirming the Psalm and verse that brought me the biggest smile. Because of verse one.

“Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth!” (Psalm 100:1). Yes! “Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy” (v. 2).

Mm. Yes, please. And “Thank You!”

“Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are His [or ‘and not we ourselves’]. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture” (3). How truly grateful I am Dearest Lord.

I confess to trying to will myself into thanking and praising You on my own. Knowing how blessed I am and wanting to show You the reverence You so righty deserve.

Thank You for taking me instead to Your gates. That I would enter with thanksgiving; and go into Your courts with praise. Truly giving You thanks, and praising Your name (v. 4).

“For the LORD is good” (5a). Your are! Your unfailing love continues forever, (5b) and Your faithfulness continues to each generation (5c).

Holy God, this is Truth I can only begin to comprehend. Thank You that its validity is in no way dependent on my understanding. Only on my acceptance.

Thank You. Thank You Father.

The Life Recovery Bible comment tells us, “We always have reason to rejoice: We live in God’s presence, under His continual care and we experience His love each day. Each time we come into His presence, our heart should be filled with gratitude and praise. God never stops showering us with His love; He always keeps His promise to help us when we call on Him.”

That’s what I’m doing right now. Calling on Your great love to empower and enable me in thinking, saying, doing and being all that You would have of and for me.

I love, need, trust and want You Blessed God. Do all You must that I truly come before You thanking and praising. Entering You gates with thanksgiving in my heart, and Your courtyards with praise for who and all You are. 

There is a hint of a picture in my mind of what this could look like. Thank You for the beauty and wonder of it all. Use me as You know is best. Thank You. Praise You. Amen.

(454 words ~ 6:33 a.m.)