Most of us have a favorite place we like to be. We look back to certain places and times with fond memories. King David had a favorite place, a place that made his heart glad whenever he had an opportunity to spend time there. He said, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1).
People say, "Well, I don't have to go to church to know God." They're right. You don't. But, there is so much we miss out on if we neglect gathering together with other believers to worship the Lord. Take a look at something else David had to say about God's house...
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple (Psalm 27:4).
David's desire was to spend every moment in the house of the LORD. As king, he had other duties and responsibilities to attend to just and you and I do, but David really looked forward to the time he could spend in God's house.
David prayed, sang and worshiped the LORD at other places and times, but he so enjoyed being in the house of the LORD that it made him glad whenever he had opportunity to go.
Some easily dismiss the importance of believers gathering together in corporate prayer and worship, but God has made it a high priority for every one of His children. Hebrews 10:19-27 expresses God's thoughts on the matter of being present in His house...
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Read that again slowly. Do you see the point being made here? The context speaks of spending time with other believers, Jesus being high priest over the house of God, reminds us we must assemble together in that house, and gives us and important warning that is all part of the same thought.
We're told to continue meeting with other believers (i.e. going to church with them and having fellowship with them) and to encourage one another. Then, the writer says, For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins... Sin makes Christ's sacrifice on our behalf ineffective for us because we have chosen to sin instead of living as those who are blood-bought children of God. This statement is made right after the exhortation to assemble with, fellowship with and build up our fellow believers.
Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the writer warns us that refusing to be the functioning member of the body of Christ God has designed us to be is sin. Neglecting His house, and neglecting other believers is sin.
What should we do then? Go... and be glad.
{Daily Selah} is a mini-devotional, a pause to ponder about the Lord and how He wants us to live.
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