Psalm 84

When I volunteered to write a devotion on “church” I planned on going down the “what is church" rabbit hole. As I read through Psalm 84, it became clear that “what does the word church mean” was not where this Psalm was leading me. So, before finishing this reading today please read Psalm 84; I’ll wait.

Over the past few months, I’ve had a series of interruptions that have kept me from attending church as often as I have become accustomed. Between jobs, family, deaths, and illness it seems that I have only been able to attend once a month, and for the first time since beginning to teach, I had to call off on a morning I was scheduled to teach. So, when I began reading Psalm 84, the first 2 verses hit me HARD!

As Christians we should long to meet together to worship the Lord. We should miss the fellowship of corporate worship, we should miss the time dedicated to corporate study, we should miss the hugs, the smiles and yes, even the coffee. Is attending church required for your salvation? No, but there should be a hole in your heart that can only be filled by gathering with fellow believers. When you miss church, do you have that nagging feeling that something is missing? Do you long to be back? Let me give you 4 reasons for gathering:

1) Worship: this is the primary reason we gather. Beyond just singing, it offers us the opportunity to edify and lift each other up. (Colossians 3:16-17)
2) Connecting: as far back as Genesis, we were not meant to be alone. Gathering provides us the unity in community. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
3) Growth: God’s Word is the fuel for spiritual growth. We come together to hear the Word taught and preached. As we disperse each week to our jobs and family, we need that fuel to keep our spiritual fire burning until we meet again. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
4) Prayer: private prayer is essential for your personal growth as a Christian but corporate prayer and praying for each other is just as important. (Acts 1:13-14, James 5:16)

So, I ask again, when you miss gathering with fellow believers do you long to be back? Do you have that empty hole in your heart? Psalm 84:10 reads: “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.” One day of worship in the house of the Lord is better than a 1,000 elsewhere; think about that!

Come gather with us, worship with us, let us love on you, pray for you and fill that hole in your heart.

By: Barry Key