God Has Shown Up in a Big Way—How Will You Respond?
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalm 100:4, KJV)
When God answers your prayers with unmistakable, divine power, your response matters. It’s not enough to accept His blessing and move on. What if your reaction to His intervention could unlock even greater encounters with Him? Discover why God invites you to respond with intentional praise and thanksgiving—and how this response could deepen your experience of His presence.
In Luke 17, Jesus healed ten lepers, yet only one returned to thank Him. This grateful man—a Samaritan—praised God with a loud voice and fell at Jesus’ feet in worship. Jesus asked, “Where are the other nine?” (Luke 17:17), showing that God notices and expects our response when He moves in our lives. Through this account, we learn that God desires a heart that acknowledges His goodness and values His blessings. The leper’s return reminds us that when God acts, it’s not enough to enjoy His gifts; we are called to express gratitude with thanksgiving and worship.
Psalm 100:4 provides a clear instruction: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.” The word “enter” is an invitation to approach God. For the Israelites, this was a literal call to enter the Temple. Today, it’s a figurative invitation to draw near to God in prayer, worship, and praise. Picture yourself stepping into a throne room, moving toward the Father on His throne—this is the mental imagery here.
But as His priests, we must bring something when we approach Him. Hebrews 8:3 says, “It is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.” In Exodus 23:15, God declares, “None shall appear before me empty.”
So here’s the question: What will you bring into the throne room after God has shown up in a big way, answered your prayers, and turned your captivity?
Psalm 100:4 gives us a clue with the preposition “with,” indicating something we take with us. It goes on to say, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise.”
What does this mean for us today? First, recognize that your response to God’s actions matters. Second, do not be passive. Thankfully, you don’t have to travel to Jerusalem. Wherever you are, at any time, heaven’s gates are open, and you can enter with awe for what the Lord has done, a mouth that proclaims His works, and even a body that dances, jumps, or bows before Him.
Here’s the best part: the Lord delights in this response. Here’s a key to bringing God pleasure—learn to respond in praise for all He’s done, whether it’s as small as a mustard seed or as monumental as Mount Zion!
Meditate
Reflect on recent moments when God moved powerfully in your life. How can you turn those answered prayers into heartfelt worship?
Act on the Word
Don’t stay silent when God moves. Whatever the Spirit leads, express your gratitude—whether through song, dance, sharing your testimony, or extra time in prayer. Let heaven know you recognize His hand, and let the Father smile as He receives your praise.
Pray
Ask the Spirit to help you recognize and respond appropriately to every move of God in your life.
Recommended Read
- How to Offer the Sacrifice of Praise
- Two Lessons from Messianic Jewish Worship
- What is Throne-Room Worship?
- Holistic Worship: Touching God’s Heart with Our Whole Being
- Warfare Praise and Worship
- All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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