Make a Joyful Noise, A Psalm for All Seasons -Psalm 100: Pastor Dave Rajoon

Devotional

Day 1: Worship as a Lifestyle of Gratitude

True worship is a continual, intentional lifestyle of gratitude rooted in God's goodness, not just a Sunday ritual or a response to favorable circumstances. When you choose to focus on God's faithfulness and blessings, even in the midst of challenges, your perspective shifts and your heart is lifted above complaints and worries. This posture of thanksgiving transforms not only your worship but also your daily outlook, inviting God's presence and joy into every area of your life. Let gratitude become your daily practice, shaping your responses and interactions, and let your worship flow from a heart that remembers all God has done. [56:06]

Psalm 100:1-5 (ESV)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Reflection: What is one ordinary thing today—a sunrise, a meal, a conversation—that you can intentionally thank God for, letting it become an act of worship rather than something you take for granted?

Day 2: The Power of Joyful Praise and Shouting

There are moments when a breakthrough requires more than quiet prayer—it calls for a bold, joyful shout of praise that declares your trust in God's power, even before you see the answer. Just as the Israelites shouted and the walls of Jericho fell, your intentional praise in the face of obstacles can shift spiritual atmospheres and bring down barriers in your life. This shout is not empty noise, but a purposeful declaration that God is your deliverer and that you believe in His promises, regardless of your current circumstances. Let your praise be exuberant and faith-filled, knowing that God responds to hearts that worship Him with joy and confidence. [01:02:45]

Joshua 6:15-16, 20 (ESV)
On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city.” ... So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to move from silent worry to bold praise? What would it look like for you to “shout” your trust in God today?

Day 3: Serving the Lord with Gladness

Serving God is not just about fulfilling duties, but about choosing to serve with joy and gladness, even when life is difficult or unrecognized by others. Like Joshua, who declared, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” you are invited to make a personal, intentional commitment to serve God wholeheartedly, regardless of obstacles or distractions. True service flows from gratitude for all God has done and a desire to honor Him above all else, not from seeking approval or recognition. Let your acts of service—big or small—be offerings of joy to God, reflecting your love and loyalty to Him. [01:07:06]

Joshua 24:14-15 (ESV)
“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Reflection: What is one area where you can serve God or others with more gladness this week, doing it as an offering to Him rather than for recognition?

Day 4: Knowing God Personally, Not Just About Him

There is a profound difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him in a personal, covenant relationship. God desires for you to move beyond head knowledge or tradition into a living, daily experience of His presence, character, and love. He reveals Himself as Yahweh—the God who is near, who invites you to seek Him, and who wants to be known intimately. As you pursue Him, He promises to reveal more of Himself, transforming your understanding and deepening your faith. Let your relationship with God be marked by genuine pursuit, obedience, and a desire to know Him more each day. [01:14:37]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV)
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Reflection: In what ways can you move from simply knowing about God to truly knowing Him—what is one step you can take today to seek Him more personally?

Day 5: Gratitude as a Generational Legacy

Gratitude is not only a personal practice but a legacy to be passed on, shaping families and communities for generations. When you intentionally remember and share what God has done, you help others—especially your children and those around you—develop a heart of thanksgiving and faith. The goodness, mercy, and truth of God endure through all generations, and your testimony of gratitude can inspire others to trust and praise Him. Make it a habit to reflect on God’s faithfulness, to speak of His blessings, and to teach the next generation to live with thankful hearts. [01:40:22]

Psalm 78:4-7 (ESV)
We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

Reflection: Who is one person—child, friend, or family member—you can share a story of God’s goodness with this week, helping to build a legacy of gratitude?

Sermon Summary

As we gather in this season of Thanksgiving, it’s important to remember that everything in our lives revolves around God—He is the center, the sustainer, and the reason for our gratitude. Psalm 100, a beloved psalm of thanksgiving, calls us not just to a moment of worship, but to a lifestyle rooted in God’s goodness. This psalm is a global summons: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth.” It’s not just for the thankful few, but for everyone, everywhere, to lift their voices in praise.

Often, we find it easier to list our complaints than our blessings. Yet, if we pause and reflect, we realize we always have more to be thankful for than to grumble about. Gratitude shifts our perspective; it doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but it changes how we see them. When we cultivate thankfulness—even for the simple things like the changing colors of fall or a child’s smile—our hearts and lives are transformed.

Psalm 100 instructs us to come before God with joy, to serve Him with gladness, and to enter His presence with singing. This is not about ignoring our problems, but about choosing to focus on the One who provides, who is faithful, and whose mercy endures forever. The psalm reminds us that we are God’s people, the sheep of His pasture, created in His image and deeply loved. Our worship is not just individual, but communal—we journey together as a family of faith, supporting and encouraging one another.

True worship involves intentionality. It’s not about coming to church to get our needs met, but about coming to give God the praise He deserves. The Hebrew words for praise—yadah, shabak, todah, tehillah, barak, zamar, and halal—each express different facets of worship, from shouting joyfully to kneeling in reverence. Thanksgiving is not a once-a-year event, but a daily posture of the heart.

As we move through this season, let us practice daily gratitude, worship with intention, serve with joy, and share our testimonies with others. Let us teach the next generation to be thankful, making gratitude a legacy that endures. God’s goodness, mercy, and truth are everlasting—may our lives reflect that truth in every season.

Key Takeaways

1. Gratitude Transforms Our Perspective Choosing gratitude doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it radically changes how we see them. When we focus on God’s blessings, even in the midst of challenges, our hearts are lifted and our outlook shifts from lack to abundance. This transformation is not about denial, but about seeing life through the lens of God’s faithfulness. [55:39]
2. Worship Is a Lifestyle, Not an Event True worship is not confined to Sunday mornings or special occasions. It is a continual, intentional response to God’s goodness, expressed in joyful noise, service, and song. When worship becomes our way of life, every moment—mundane or extraordinary—becomes an opportunity to honor God. [56:06]
3. Serve God with Joyful Commitment Serving God is not always easy, especially when life is complicated or demanding. Yet, like Joshua, we are called to make a deliberate choice: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joyful service flows from remembering all God has done and from a heart that seeks to honor Him above all else. [66:36]
4. Know God Personally, Not Just About Him There is a profound difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him. God desires a relationship with us, not just our acknowledgment of His existence. As we seek Him, obey Him, and experience His faithfulness, our knowledge of Him deepens, moving from head knowledge to heart intimacy. [74:07]
5. Thanksgiving Is a Communal and Generational Practice We are not called to gratitude in isolation, but as a family of faith. Sharing our thankfulness and testimonies strengthens the community and sets an example for the next generation. Making gratitude a legacy ensures that God’s goodness is remembered and celebrated for years to come. [100:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[50:55] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[51:37] - Thanksgiving Humor and Butterball Story
[53:01] - Introduction to Psalm 100
[54:34] - The Challenge of Gratitude
[55:39] - Gratitude as a Lifestyle
[56:41] - Reading Psalm 100 Together
[57:54] - The Power of a Joyful Shout
[59:19] - Shouting for Breakthrough: Jericho
[63:53] - Serving the Lord with Gladness
[66:36] - Leadership and Family Commitment
[70:20] - Songs of Ascent: Journey to Worship
[73:37] - Knowing God vs. Knowing About God
[79:15] - God’s Covenant and Our Identity
[83:13] - Worship as a Community
[87:13] - Posture of Praise: Seven Hebrew Words
[94:36] - God’s Goodness and Generational Praise
[97:17] - Action Prompts for Thanksgiving
[101:04] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[110:21] - Final Blessing and Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Psalm 100 (ESV) — 1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 100, what are some of the specific ways we are called to approach God? (see verses 1-4)
The sermon mentioned that Psalm 100 is a “global summons” for everyone to praise God, not just a select few. How does the psalm itself support this idea? [53:32]
What are some of the Hebrew words for praise mentioned in the sermon, and what do they each mean or represent? [01:27:38]
In the sermon, what examples were given of simple, everyday things we can be thankful for? [55:06]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says, “Gratitude shifts our perspective; it doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but it changes how we see them.” Why do you think gratitude has this effect? [55:39]
The pastor talked about the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing Him. What does it look like to move from head knowledge to heart intimacy with God? [01:14:07]
Serving God with gladness is emphasized in both the psalm and the sermon. Why do you think gladness is important in our service to God, especially when life is hard? [01:06:36]
The sermon highlights that thanksgiving is not just individual but communal and generational. What are some reasons it’s important to practice gratitude together as a church family? [01:40:22]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to list our blessings instead of our complaints. This week, what is one specific thing you usually complain about, and how could you intentionally turn it into a moment of gratitude? [55:06]
Psalm 100 calls us to “make a joyful noise” and “serve the Lord with gladness.” What is one practical way you can bring more joy or gladness into your worship or service this week, even if your circumstances are difficult? [01:04:27]
The pastor described worship as a lifestyle, not just a Sunday event. What is one ordinary moment in your daily routine where you could intentionally pause to worship or thank God? [56:06]
The sermon mentioned several Hebrew words for praise, including shouting, singing, and kneeling. Which posture or expression of worship feels most natural to you, and which one would you like to try this week? [01:27:38]
The pastor said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” What is one decision you can make this week to lead your family or household in serving God together? [01:06:36]
The sermon encouraged us to share our testimonies and gratitude with others. Who is one person (maybe a child, friend, or neighbor) you could share a story of God’s goodness with this week? [01:40:22]
The pastor talked about making gratitude a legacy for the next generation. What is one tradition or habit you could start (or continue) in your family to help pass on a thankful heart? [01:40:22]

Sermon Clips

You shout because there's a purpose. In other words this is an intentional shout. You're saying to God. God I hear you. I'm shouting back to you. You're saying to the enemy. Hey listen I'm gonna shout because my God is good. My God is a deliverer. He's gonna lift me up. I don't think I care what you put on me. But I'm coming before the Lord. I'm gonna make a joyful shout unto the Lord. [01:03:23] (23 seconds) #ServeWithPurpose

Why? Because God becomes the king of my home. He becomes sovereign in my home. And I want to serve him. So the psalmist is declaring, not only to make a joyful noise unto the Lord but serve God. Serve God with gladness, he says. [01:09:32] (17 seconds) #SingNewSongs

Every good and perfect gift comes down to us from the Father of light in whom there's no variable, there's no shadow of turning because God is good. You know, I know some people like to say, when they say, God is good, how does the church respond? All the time. And all the time, God is good. And that can sound sweet and beautiful to do that, but we have to believe that. We have to know that to be true. You have to understand the truth and the power in that statement, knowing that God is good. [01:35:29] (29 seconds) #WorshipWithIntention

Let gratitude be a daily practice. Every morning, think about something that you're thankful for. Second thing is worship with intention. When you say, I'm coming with intentional worship unto God, not just coming to sing some songs because Beverly's leaving, coming here to worship God. You know, there's a big difference in that, and I want us to understand that difference. [01:37:21] (23 seconds) #ShareGodsGoodness

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