Sermon Title: Apprehending God
Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.
Psalm 100 has been called the "Thanksgiving Psalm." It calls readers to give God complete and absolute praise. Why is God worthy of such adoration? Verse 3 gives us the reason.
Dr. Donald Williams wrote the following about this verse (edited): "Why does God deserve worship? First, because "know that the Lord is God." Since God is God, He is to be praised for Who He is, not simply for what He has done. He is God! That's enough. Second, He is the Creator: "It is He who made us..." We are not autonomous. We are not self-sufficient. We are the creation and therefore dependent upon Him for everything. Third, beyond creation stands redemption. Thus "...we are...the sheep of His pasture." The metaphor of sheep assumes that God is the Shepherd. Therefore, the prophet Isaiah promises, 'He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them hin His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young' (Isa. 40:11). This picture is now fulfilled in Jesus, Who presents Himself as the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). No wonder that we are to come to God. He is Our Creator! He is Our Redeemer! He has made His name known to us. Praise God!"
This coming Sunday we will explore how this verse tells us that God is in control, provides our strength and ultimately performs His will as we continue our sermon series, "Enter With Thanksgiving." Hope to see you then!
