“THE HOUSE OF THE LORD”
(Psalms 108:1-13; 109:1-31; 122:1-9 )
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’” – Psalm 122:1
When is the last time you asked someone to come to church with you? Or, when’s the last time someone asked you to go to church with them?
I could phrase this a bit more pointed, and ask you this – what priority do you put on attending church, and inviting others to go with you?
You see, the time in which we now live has changed dramatically from previous generations. When I was a boy, literally everyone went to church somewhere on Sunday morning. And, nearly every business was closed on Sundays. There were no little league or soccer games for kids on Sundays. It was the Lord’s Day!
Today in America, the majority of people not only do not attend church, but have no spiritual background at all. And, before we shake our heads in disbelief, on average, most “good church people” only attend church once a month!
That’s not how it should be, and it’s not the heart of the Psalmist. He said, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Attending church must not be thought of as an obligation, but rather, as an opportunity!
Simple Truth:
Attending church and worshiping together with others allows for praising God, praying to God, pondering God’s Word and planning our future days in God’s will!
Reflections:
- What priority do you place on regular attendance at church? We are not to “forsake the assembling of ourselves together!” (Hebrews 10:25)
- We are not to do life alone! God has not called us to be “hermit believers” but to gather together in His name! (Matthew 18:20)
- Just as the first church did, we need to gather together for fellowship, teaching, worship and prayer. (Acts 2:42)
Application:
- With joy, we need to go to the house of the Lord! (:1)
- We are required to give thanks to the Lord as we gather together. (4)
- We will have peace and prosperity as we worship together. (:7)
Closing Prayer:
Lord, burn within my heart to prioritize You and Your house. Place a burden in my heart for my fellow believers as we gather together, that we would together sense Your divine presence, and receive Your blessing as we move forward in doing Your will. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
About our Author
Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.
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