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WE HAVE NOT MADE OURSELVES

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • Nov 12
  • 6 min read

Today’s Reading:

Psalm 100:1–5 (KJV)

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-15 KJV)

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As in Psalms 66, 81, 95, and 96, Psalm 100 is a call to joyful praise and worship of God, for His faithfulness extends to all generations, both past, present and future. It has been sung in Christian churches through the ages, and many hymns are based on it, including the famous song “All People That on Earth Do Dwell.” It emphasises the universal nature of God’s kingship. In verse 1, the whole world—all the earth—is invited to shout for joy to the Lord. Know in verse 3 is used in the sense of experiencing and having assurance of the truth that the Lord is God. Just as communities gather on the streets to celebrate the victory of a national team, so also did communities in the psalmist’s time gather to celebrate a military victory. The psalm encourages us to celebrate the fact that our Saviour is victorious over His enemies. Therefore, all who recognise and acknowledge that God is great and holy are to gather to worship and praise His holy name with gladness and joy (v. 2).


A confession that Israel’s covenant God, Jehovah, is the only true God who made us, the heaven and the earth and all who dwell therein (Ps 24). Although it is understood that God created all human beings, the phrase seems to refer to God’s making and blessing Israel as a nation—His people… His pasture. The shepherd figure is often ascribed to the king of Israel and to the Lord. It suggests God’s intimate care for the people of Israel. In the New Testament, the Lord is also the Shepherd of the saints in the church age and the present dispensation: “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to My voice, and there will be one flock with one Shepherd” (John 10:16). God is our Creator, and not we ourselves. Many people live as though they have created themselves and are at the centre of their myopic world. This mindset leads to self-centeredness and greedy possessiveness, and when everything is taken away, they lose hope. But when we are aware that God created us and has given us all that we have, we will freely share with those who do not have (2 Corinthians 9:8). And if all is lost, we still have God—and whatever He later gives, as in the story of Job.


Why do we worship, praise, and give thanks to Him?

  • He is our Creator God who made us, and as the King to whom we belong.

  • He has graciously given us the status of being His people.

  • The Lord is good. There is no evil in Him. Everything He does is very good (Gen.1:30–31).

  • We are the sheep of His pasture. He not only owns us as His possession; He also cares for us and provides for our needs as the sheep of His pasture (v. 3; 95:7).

  • It is only those who accept God as their Lord and King who can worship Him like this. Those who worship idols will have nothing to celebrate; Psalm 97:7 says, “They will be put to shame.”

  • His love endures forever. This phrase is repeated several times in the Scriptures. Such love is beyond our understanding. It has no ending. This love does not fade with passing shadows. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His being and attributes do not change.

  • His faithfulness is for all generations and beyond. His love extended to generations before us and continues after us. Therefore, we can confidently commit our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren into His fatherly care.


    Where and when do we give thanks and worship Him?

  • In ancient Israel, He was worshipped only in the temple on the holy hill of Zion. So, in verse 4, the people are exhorted to enter the doors of the temple with thanksgiving and come into the courts of the temple with praise. They are to give thanks to God and praise His holy name (Psalm 116:17–19).

  • Today, we may not go to the temple in Jerusalem to worship God, but it is good to gather as believers for celebrations where we express our thanksgiving and praise for His blessings upon us.

  • When it is convenient and when it is not convenient—anyhow, anywhere. When you are happy and when you are down. Although it may not be easy when you are down, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Be an addict of thanking and praising God. Acknowledging and appreciating God in this way can move the mighty hand of God at unexpected times—you never can tell.

  • When we have the mind of Christ, our thoughts will be filled with praise and thanksgiving. But when we continue to complain, we open the door for the enemy to afflict us. Complaint—whether in thought or in word—causes us to live weak, powerless lives and can at times bring on physical illness.

One of the keys to living a powerful life is to continue to praise God, as mentioned in this

psalm—be thankful always to God. Know that complaint is a death principle, but being

thankful and expressing it brings joy to your daily life.


What is your attitude to worshipping God?

Do you willingly and joyfully come into the presence of God, or are you just going through the motions—reluctantly going to church because you have to belong? God alone is worthy of our worship. This psalm reminds us of God’s goodness and dependability, and calls us to worship Him with thanksgiving and praise. Do you look at others and keep complaining about what they have that you do not? Stop this attitude! There is no one that God has not given cause to glorify and thank, and praise His name. God be merciful unto you and bless you all!

OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”

If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Lord, I acknowledge that You are God! You have made us, and we are Yours. We are your people and the sheep of your pasture.

  2. Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him, singing with joy.

  3. Lord, You are good; Your unfailing love continues forever, and Your faithfulness from the past continues to each following generation.

  4. Father, we thank You for the knowledge that enables us to come before Your presence with joyful singing, knowing and fully recognising with gratitude that You are God.

  5. Lord, we are Your possession and belong to You. Forgive us where we have behaved as if we belong to ourselves and are free to do whatever we like.

  6. Holy Spirit, empower us and teach us to appreciate God as we ought to. It brings us to the realisation that we cannot behave as we please.

  7. Teach us to acquaint ourselves with the Almighty so that peace and goodwill will continually flow in every area of our lives.

  8. Help us to lay up God’s Word in our hearts, to observe and humbly obey. Prosper our ways, and empower us to succeed in whatever we lay our hands to do.

  9. Empower and encourage us to return to the Almighty and to put away iniquity from our tabernacles.

  10. Clothe us with Your mercy, favour, and love—for ourselves, for You, and for others we meet—in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

 
 
 

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