Daily devotional – Spoilt or thankful?
Entering with Thanksgiving
Psalm 100:4 — “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”
I once saw a young teenage boy at the beach, clearly from a wealthy family, smashing his brand-new surfboard to pieces. His session hadn’t gone well, and rather than look inward, he blamed the board. His mates stood there, shocked at the sight—this boy, spoilt and ungrateful, destroying something many would treasure.
It made me think. No, we’re not out here smashing Bibles or breaking pews in frustration. But how often do we show the same kind of spoiled attitude when it comes to the incredible privilege of gathering to worship God? Every time we step through the doors of the church—on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday—we’re given the opportunity to worship our Creator and Saviour with fellow believers. Yet, sometimes, our neglect or indifference echoes that same ungrateful spirit.
We are so blessed by God—His care, His love, His daily mercy and grace. And yet, it can become easy to take it all for granted. Holy Communion calls us back, reminding us to remember what God has done. We should never need a “pep talk” from a worship leader to stand, sing, clap, or lift our hands in honour of Jesus—the King of kings and Lord of lords.
This week, every time you enter the chapel, let’s make Psalm 100:4 our reality. Let’s enter with thanksgiving in our hearts, with praise on our lips, expressing our thanks, and bringing Him blessing.
And here’s another heart-check: when people visit a church, they often evaluate whether it’s a place they’d like to attend. But maybe we need to flip the question: Will I be a blessing to this local body? Will my presence build up the Church—or would it be a blessing if my selfishness stayed away? That’s a hard question, but a necessary one, especially in these Last Days.
Jesus faced similar reactions. In John 6, many found His words too hard to accept. They complained, they murmured, they were offended. But Jesus didn’t lower the standard. He pointed them higher: “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63).
True worship, true faith, and true church life are not about pleasing ourselves. They are about surrender—coming because the Father draws us, believing because the Spirit gives life, and gathering not to get, but to give Him glory.
May God watch over every local church that preaches His Word and seeks to exalt Jesus Christ. And may He protect His Church from those who would divide, distract, or refuse to serve.
So let’s enter His gates this week—not spoiled, not self-centred, but with thanksgiving, with praise, and ready to bless His name.