Gates

Enter his gates with thanksgiving . . .  

 - From Psalm 100

Thanksgiving Week begins. 

Today is Friday, the 20th of November. 

Where are God's "gates"?

The easy answer is: the doorway to a church. But that's too limited. God does not inhabit buildings made of stone and wood. He's everywhere, and everywhen. 

But if we limited the definition of God's "gates," to a church's entryway . . . how often do we do so, with thanksgiving? Shouldn't that be our driving thought, our purpose, the moment we enter God's House? It is called a "sanctuary." A sanctuary is a safe place, a haven for people that are on the run, or that are homeless. If you were fleeing some dire threat, or evil, and turned a corner to see a church, knowing that when you entered, you would be completely safe from what had been pursuing you . . . you would feel Thanksgiving then!

And maybe that's the type of Thanksgiving we are talking about. 

The Americans celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of Harvest. God has given us a good year. We have enough provisions to make it through the winter. We remember to thank Him. And even if it is words only, and our hearts are not truly into the "thanks" still, we believe that by going through the motions, we are doing some good. God can bring life even to our vain wordings. 

We enter HIS gates. "Enter" meaning, we pass from one place into another. One moment, we were outside God's presence, His safekeeping. But the next moment, we have passed through some portal, and now we behold the magnificence of God, Who is so close we can touch Him! We are completely safe. 

Safety reminds us of the best moments of our lives. Ordinarily, our memories of Thanksgivings past are of a crowd of loved ones seated around a large table. Delicious food is plentiful. We are warm. We are happy. We have no worries. 

We are safe.

You enter God's gates . . . and you are supremely thankful. Because, now . . . you are safe.