Being part of a church

Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2         I long, yes, I faint with longing
to enter the courts of the Lord.
With my whole being, body and soul,
I will shout joyfully to the living God.
3         Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow builds her nest and raises her young
at a place near your altar,
O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, my King and my God!
4         What joy for those who can live in your house,
always singing your praises.
Interlude


I know that this passage isn’t speaking directly about church attendance and I’m one of the last people who would be pushing church attendance in and of itself as a means of spiritual growth. BUT, I often ask the people in our church (whenever I have the privilege to lead the service or preach or something from “up front”), if they gave any thought about the worship service before they arrived “on site.”

I wonder, how many of us long for the worship service in our churches? When was the last time your heart yearned to be in the church building during a worship service, to be with His people in worship & prayer & praise? Have you (or I) ever fainted from longing for the fellowship of the believers?

And when we’re present, do we worship with our “whole being, body and soul... and shout joyfully to the living God?” Or do we sit silently, still, unmoving, unmoved, unaffected by the entire service?

We serve the Highest, most Gracious, most Holy, most Powerful God - none comes close!Is He not worthy of our total engagement - body, mind, soul & spirit - when we worship, serve, pray and praise?

I’m rebuked. I’ll work on having a bigger perspective of Who He is when I gather with my brothers & sisters to worship on Sunday.

O Lord, Your dwelling place is indeed lovely!