October 8, 2019
For full passage click: Psalm 111:1-5 … “Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” vs. 1
The Psalmist wasn’t thanking the Lord for any answered prayer or a particular blessing that had come to him. Instead, he was reflecting on the goodness and mercy of God throughout all the generations–and he didn’t hold back! His song of thanksgiving came from the heart and he sang as a part of the congregation. Worship was communal to the core. People came to the temple in the company of the faithful, and they loved to offer praise together to the Lord. We’ve lost a bit of that communal connection in these latter days. People report that they come to worship as individuals expecting to receive something; often they’re looking for a bold and provocative sermon or maybe a special presentation from the choir. And if that doesn’t happen, they begin to consider abandoning worship altogether. But worship, at its core, concerns what we do for God. It’s our time for joining the congregation in hymns of praise and thanksgiving and for reflecting on the grace and mercy that God has for every one of us. Sometimes when we gather for worship now it’s sad to see diminishing numbers–congregations are dwindling. We have such a wonderful and generous Lord and the love just keeps on coming. And even as we grow less faithful, the faithfulness of God continues forever. Praise the Lord! And what a blessing it is to do it in the company of the saints!
Thought for the Day: What reasons do people give for abandoning worship?
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