From: June 4, 2023
‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD”’ (Psalm 122:1 NLT).
This is one of David’s fifteen “Psalms of Ascent,” written to be sung while climbing up to the Temple Mount. It begins by expressing David’s gladness at the invitation to go up to the house of the Lord. Such joy for corporate worship should be on every believer’s heart in anticipation of its perfection in heaven. Yet, David’s gladness was not only in anticipation of his worship destination, but also for the worshiping congregation that would join together with him in praising God along the way.
This invitation is still being offered today, “Let us go into the house of the Lord!” Yet many refuse. The admonition from Hebrews seems more relevant today than ever before: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Heb. 10:25).
Will you answer the Spirit’s invitation to worship together? Will you join the happy throng?
PRAYER: Dear Father, so many things compete for our time today that we forget to make worshiping together a priority. And in so doing, we weaken ourselves and our churches and we deny ourselves much joy. Forgive us. Stir in us the desire for worshiping You together with Your family. Strengthen us with Your joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: June 4, 2017
One of David’s fifteen “Psalms of Ascent,” to be sung while climbing the steps up to the Temple Mount. It begins by expressing David’s “gladness” at the invitation to go up to the house of the Lord. Such joy for corporate worship should be on every believer’s heart in anticipation of its perfection in heaven. Yet, David’s gladness was not only in anticipation of his worship destination, but also for the worshiping congregation that would join together with him in praising God along the way.
This same invitation is still being offered today, “Let us go into the house of the Lord!” Will you join the happy throng?
From: June 4, 2016
This psalm, which is not included in the Book of Psalms, but only found in 2 Samuel, begins with the prescript, “the last words of David.” In verse two, he states his awareness that the Holy Spirit “speaks” through him. David, at the end of his life, looked back on all that God had done for him, and gave God praise that He had chosen him as a Divine mouthpiece. David praised God that his psalms were inspired by God’s Spirit. David listed many things that he was thankful for as he reflected back on his life, yet chief among them was that God had “raised him up” and “anointed” him as “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” Oh, to have a life known for speaking God’s Word and for one’s final words to be Spirit inspired.
From: June 4, 2015
The first century church “continued steadfastly” in four devotions: 1) the apostle’s doctrine, 2) the fellowship, 3) the breaking of bread and 4) in prayers. And there was a rhythm to their days as they worshiped in the temple and met in one another’s homes (Acts 2:46). Following this pattern, the early church grew miraculously as God added to their number daily “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). We would do well to devote ourselves to this same pattern in our churches today.
From: June 4, 2014
and to prayer” (Acts 2:42 NLT).
The first century church was devoted to four things: 1) the apostle’s teaching, 2) the fellowship, 3) the sharing of meals and 4) prayer. And there was a rhythm to their days as they worshiped in the temple and met in one another’s homes (Acts 2:46). Following this pattern, the early church grew miraculously as God added to their number daily “those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). We would do well to devote ourselves to this same pattern in our churches today.
From: June 4, 2012
The central truth of Christianity is the resurrection of Christ. This is the message that Peter preached at Pentecost that pierced the hearts of his hearers. Peter was an eye witness of this resurrected Christ. Our faith rests on the historical evidence of the resurrection.