Psalm 84:1,2,4 (NLT) How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. 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. How happy are those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.
At another church I served we sang a praise song based upon this scripture. It is clear that the Psalmist loves to worship God in God’s temple. I am amazed and find it difficult to understand how people can do things like “take the summer off” from worship. I doubt we could arrive at only one difference between those casual worshippers and the many for whom weekly worship is an integral part of their life but I wonder if it doesn’t have something to do with how much one credits God for the blessings in one’s life. Some churches try to compensate for the lack of members being drawn to worship God through the touch of the Holy Spirit on their hearts by trying to make worship entertaining and non-confrontational. Light worship makes for light Christians. Casual members need two things. They need others to model regular attendance and support of church ministry by example and they need to feel valued and cared about. How are we each doing with that?
Almighty God, You brought the church into being and have called us to worship together. Help us Lord to find ways to impart to others the importance of this worship for themselves and for the church. We ask in your holy Son’s name. Amen.
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