I will praise God’s name with song and exalt him with thanksgiving. —Psalm 69:30
In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was the first place God set apart to meet with His people. In front of the entrance to the Holy of Holies stood the altar of incense, where every morning and evening, the priest offered up the sweet aromas representing the prayers and thanksgiving of God’s people.
But those ancient rituals were only symbols of a relationship that we as New Testament believers can enjoy with Him anytime, anyplace. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we’ve been granted permanent access to the Father, whose gates we can enter at any moment. If we desire His presence, worship and gratitude can always take us there.
So, see what happens when you open your heart afresh to the Lord, lifting up your eyes and voice to “exalt him with thanksgiving.” See if expressing your gratitude doesn’t increase your sense of wonder toward Him. See if the practice of praise and thanksgiving doesn’t transport you nearer to Him—not just where your faith can believe Him but where your heart can sense Him.
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The Quiet Place: Daily Devotional Readings
©2012 Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
Choose to “exalt him with thanksgiving” today and see how a thankful heart draws you closer to the Lord.