For several weeks we’ve preached on psalms which explore and express hard emotions, and how God answers those deepest longings. As a capstone to this series, Psalm 100 exhorts us to joy – Biblical joy that can endure and sustain us in hard times. True joy is rooted in God and his goodness, not in our circumstances.

The psalmist begins with exhortations to joyful worship and service of God (v.1-2) and tells us how we receive this joy, “Know the LORD is God” (v. 3). God calls us to joy even in hard times because he offers us a joy that is rooted in Him. We rejoice because we have a God-given purpose, for he is the Creator and made us for himself. Through Christ we are his people: his family and his treasure (v. 3; 1 Pet 2:9). He cares for us (v. 3) as our Good Shepherd (John 10) and provides a place (v. 3) for us in the Church where we glimpse the New Creation. Rejoice! The LORD is God.

In the final verses, we find a path to grow in joy (be thankful, v. 4) and another reason for joy “For (or because) the LORD is good.” “Good” in English is understated. In the OT the LORD’s goodness is all that is wonderful, praiseworthy, and enjoyable about God. In the psalms, it is his protection (31:19-20), his presence (27:13), the delight that comes from knowing him (34:8). Most of all, his goodness is connected to his forgiveness (25:7, 65:4, 86:5).

We rejoice because God is a covenant maker (v. 5) though all humans are covenant breakers (Rom 5). He wants to be in relationship with us, so through the cross he opens the way for us to begin to receive from the infinite ocean of his goodness.

Taking it Home:

How can you practice gratitude to God this week?

Are you rooting your ultimate joy in your circumstances or in Christ?

Resources:

If you found this sermon series interesting or enlightening, please see the following recommended resources for further reading and reflection:

• Dan Allender, Tremper Longman, The Cry of the Soul
• Tim Keller, Walking With God through Pain and Suffering
• Pete Scazzero, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
• Esther Smith, Still and Quiet Mind