DATE WRITTEN: Friday, 2020-10-02
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BIBLE REFERENCE: Psalm 122:1
TRANSLATION: The Passion Translation (TPT)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹ I was overjoyed when they said,
“Let’s go up to the house of the Lord.”

OBSERVATION: Just a very short verse, but used very often in church circles. But God spoke to my heart and made me consider how I might describe my feelings about going to the next worship service, overjoyed? Will you join me as we consider the mix of emotions, and reasons we give for going to church?

APPLICATION: As a child, I was obedient to my parents so I went to church. But they also led the way and showed me that I should desire to do what they did. Many times I remember also felt like it was a good break from the house, for we were not allowed to roam the streets and just play with other kids without a purpose. As I progressed in life, I became involved in helping, or teaching at church, so it was critical that I attended church. As I found purpose in reading the Word of God and persistently looking at all my blessings, it became natural for me to praise God for blessing even me. I took my responsibility of becoming a husband very seriously, so after being blessed with a good wife, I knew that I had a responsibility to lead our family to the house of God each and every Sunday. Did it cross my mind that it was one of the few days I had to sleep in, or visit the beach, or hang with friends? Perhaps, but I always seemed to have as a priority, the importance of attending Sunday School and Worship Services. I could always do the other things after service, if that was the only day available to us. In the latter years of my life, I looked forward in great anticipation to the planned worship services ahead. Not only as a culmination of my personal worship experiences during the week, but also for the sweet fellowship with other believers, and to be enriched spiritually from that experience, and growing spiritually from the preaching of the Word of God. Now I realize that I have spoken more in the first person during this devotional, than perhaps any other time that I have written, but as I shared my heart with you Brothers and Sisters, I am hoping that you will also reflect on your personal experiences, and your relationship with God. Particularly I want you to consider whether you could identify with David and understand his heart. If your son or daughter asked you what is happening this Sunday in the life of your family, what do you suppose they will gather from your response about attending church? Happy, excited, sad, regretting the obligation you feel, etc. Friends, let me encourage you to think about why you attend church. I believe that if you conclude that it‘s because you look forward to spending time with, worshiping, and learning more about the God who has blessed you beyond anything you ever imagined, then I believe you might get excited about attending the next worship service at your church, so that you might join others of like faith in raising holy hands and voices to the Almighty God! Spend some time with God on this one dear friend!

PRAYER: As we look into Your Word, and as we reflect on our everyday blessings, there is so much that we could praise You for, precious Lord. Thank You for showering Your blessings on us! Lord, I pray that You would use the words You first gave to David in the Psalms and that You would cause us to examine ourselves on the reasons we go to Your house for worship. Lord, I pray that each one reading this devotional will make room in their heart for You, and may they also set a priority to worship You with other believers this weekend. You deserve our praise Oh Lord, for You have blessed us beyond measure. May others follow our footsteps, as we seek Your face and enhance our relationship with You each day. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!