A Gracious Invitation

A Gracious Invitation

Psalm 100

Invitations come to us in various shapes and forms. They can be, creatively spoken, formally written and, at times, masterfully crafted. What invitations do we accept most enthusiastically? The reality is, the form of the invitation matters less to us than the person who is doing the inviting. We most readily and happily accept invitations from loved ones who desire our presence in the celebration of joyful things. We long to enter into such celebrations with them in the communion of love. We accept those invitations, with great anticipation. Our passage today is one of the most gracious of invitations.   God beckons us to come, to enter in, to enjoy His Presence, to know Him more intimately, and to serve Him more fully. There is, in that, great joy and thanksgiving, for it is not the invitation itself that compels us to rejoice, as much as it is the One Who extends it.

As the Psalmist reminds us, He Who invites us into His Presence is Good, Loving and Faithful.  He displays His Goodness before our eyes in the Person of Christ. His plan and purpose, wrapped in the Person of Christ, assures us that only ‘goodness and mercy’ will follow us all our days. He displays His Love in the Redemptive work of Christ. Because Christ lived for us, and died for us, we can ‘enter into His Courts with praise,’and we can ‘come into His Presence with singing.’ He displays His Faithfulness in the Power of Christ, for His Victory over death extends to all generations. This warmest and most powerful of invitations ought to both delight and encourage our souls. The Creator of all things, Our Sovereign Lord beckons us into His Presence. Let us respond with joyful songs, praise and thanksgiving and enter into these courts.

Our Gracious God, we rejoice in You,
and in Your Loving invitation.
It is with joy and gladness that we accept it,
and praise You for it.

Where the Bush is Burning
Tomm Tice
D.L.