Happily in Church

A lot of people get really excited about the prophetic passages in the book of Revelation and a lot of people argue and break fellowship over those same passages.  There is a beautiful verse in Revelation chapter one that should unite the church and give us cause to both repent and rejoice.  That is verse 13 which says, “And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.”  The churches are the lampstands (vs. 20) and Christ is in the midst of them.  That we would argue and fight in His presence is sad, but that He is in the midst of the church should cause us to rejoice.  Whenever we get together with other believers, He is there fellowshipping with us.  He is in the pew beside us.  He is holding the hand of the annoying person in the pew across from us.  He is in the pulpit with His arm around the pastor.  He is in the hands of those who distribute the sacraments.  Being in church with Him should make us very happy.

The psalmist thought so.  In Psalm 84:4 we find that little word blessed, meaning happy, saying, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house.”  Wow!  Happy is the man who spends his life in your house.  That’s what it says.  In Psalm 122:1 David said, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.”  Psalm 84:10 says, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in tents of wickedness.”  The corporate worship of God’s people should fill us with an anticipation of happiness each week.  To think of putting it off for a golf game or some other activity is to diminish the very essence of who we meet there each week.  We should derive our greatest happiness in being a simple doorkeeper in the house of the Lord. 

The Presbyterian Psalter of 1912 rendered Psalm 122 like this: 

With joy I heard my friends exclaim, ‘Come, let us in God’s temple meet; within thy gates, O Zion blest, shall ever stand our willing feet.’

They come to learn the will of God, to pay their vows, His grace to own; for there is judgment’s royal seat, Messiah’s sure and lasting throne.

For sake of friends and kindred dear, my heart’s desire is Zion’s peace; and for the house of God, the Lord, my loving care shall never cease.

Oh, that we too would find such rapture in the attendance of church each week.  God promises us happiness there.  Set a goal this year to attend worship each week. 

 

 

The Friday Benediction

Until Monday, my friends, may the good God envelop you with His grace; may you prove the common confession of faith, “I believe in the holy Christian church and in the fellowship of the saints”, and may you be enriched with joy and hope as you exercise that confession this weekend.  Amen

Visit my website at www.davidccraig.net for inspiring Christian books.  Coming this month is my newest book Taking Care of Joe.  This is the story of a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient.  See how God adds His grace in the face of this horrible disease and how living a life of love is living a life NOT interrupted. 

You can now also find some of my selected devotions at www.FEBC.org. Just click "blog" on the menu bar.  You can also learn more about this great mission organization by reading through their website.