The heart's cry that David expresses in Psalm 27:4 is both lovely and challenging.
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the lord, and to inquire in His temple."
David's heart was set on God. Seeking God, worshiping God, abiding with God - these were his deepest desires. And most of us, when we attend church or when we linger with our Bibles in our own homes, express those feelings. We want God.
Yet for many, entering into His house - "going to church" - is just one more thing on the list of "to-dos" for the week. We have to get the kids ready. We have to get there. We have to prepare for the lesson we must lead. We dash into the seat halfway through the first song, and leave during the last prayer. We are in a hurry, and we hurry through the time we set aside for corporate worship. Then, we wonder what is wrong. Why don't we "get anything" out of it?
Intense communion with God cannot be hurried. It requires heart preparation, it requires concentration, it requires all of us. It isn't really about "getting" - worship is about giving - giving our worship, our hearts, our attention - to God.
I was reading in Classic Christianity: A Year of Timeless Devotions the other day, getting ready for our radio broadcast. Papa's words struck me anew. He said, when we go to church:
Arrive early, so that you can prepare to participate both in worship and in the inquiry into God's Word that is about to occur.
After you are seated, purpose to remove the obstacles that would seek to distract you. Consciously set aside the worldly cares and interests that intrude on your thoughts. Avoid needless talking. Rather than looking around, look inward. Be thoughtful, prayerful, and silent...
Pray humbly, kneeling if possible. You are in the awesome presence of your God. What to pray? Tell God you have come to meet Him there.... Pray for God to use the worship to glorify Himself, the message to speak to you.
Yes. Today I rejoice as I go into the house of the Lord. I eagerly look forward to hearing the Word of God. I look forward to meeting God there. I will listen for what God has for me in the sermon, glorify him with my voice, and say with David, "I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle, I will sing praises to the Lord...your face, Lord, I will seek...Wait, I say, on the Lord."
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity: A Year of Timeless Devotions
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the lord, and to inquire in His temple."
David's heart was set on God. Seeking God, worshiping God, abiding with God - these were his deepest desires. And most of us, when we attend church or when we linger with our Bibles in our own homes, express those feelings. We want God.
Yet for many, entering into His house - "going to church" - is just one more thing on the list of "to-dos" for the week. We have to get the kids ready. We have to get there. We have to prepare for the lesson we must lead. We dash into the seat halfway through the first song, and leave during the last prayer. We are in a hurry, and we hurry through the time we set aside for corporate worship. Then, we wonder what is wrong. Why don't we "get anything" out of it?
Intense communion with God cannot be hurried. It requires heart preparation, it requires concentration, it requires all of us. It isn't really about "getting" - worship is about giving - giving our worship, our hearts, our attention - to God.
I was reading in Classic Christianity: A Year of Timeless Devotions the other day, getting ready for our radio broadcast. Papa's words struck me anew. He said, when we go to church:
Arrive early, so that you can prepare to participate both in worship and in the inquiry into God's Word that is about to occur.
After you are seated, purpose to remove the obstacles that would seek to distract you. Consciously set aside the worldly cares and interests that intrude on your thoughts. Avoid needless talking. Rather than looking around, look inward. Be thoughtful, prayerful, and silent...
Pray humbly, kneeling if possible. You are in the awesome presence of your God. What to pray? Tell God you have come to meet Him there.... Pray for God to use the worship to glorify Himself, the message to speak to you.
Yes. Today I rejoice as I go into the house of the Lord. I eagerly look forward to hearing the Word of God. I look forward to meeting God there. I will listen for what God has for me in the sermon, glorify him with my voice, and say with David, "I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle, I will sing praises to the Lord...your face, Lord, I will seek...Wait, I say, on the Lord."
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity: A Year of Timeless Devotions
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