I Was Glad

Psalm 122:1-9

The Psalmist sang of his deepest joys.  I can relate to this joy of his.  I enjoy going to church.  I go to church more than the average person.  As a traveling preacher I am in church, on the average, at least four days each week.  I preach in small churches and large churches, country churches and city churches, traditional churches and contemporary churches.  Some weeks I preach in a suit and tie, other weeks in blue jeans and a polo shirt.  In some churches the congregation stands and lifts their hands, while in others they sit and fold their hands.  Some congregations are quiet and reverent, while others are loud and energetic.  I’ve been in them all, and I have worshipped in them all, and I have enjoyed them all.   I like to get there a little early and stay a little late.  I can relate to the Psalmist because, he too, was glad to go to the House of the Lord. 

King David is the author and he writes, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”  It’s a place of rufuge.  It’s a place where we can, for a while, escape the loudness of the world.  For a time of worship and thanksgiving we seclude ourselves with other believers to confess our sins, admit our needs, thank God for our blessings, and prepare ourselves for another week of stress, hurry, and worry.  It’s a place of grace and mercy.  It’s a place where we seek forgiveness and comfort.  It’s a place where we search our souls and admit to God our secret needs, hurts, and concerns.  It’s a place of encouragement.  We are encouraged and we encourage one another.  We hear from God through His word, and by His Spirit.  It’s a place of praise where we blend our voices together in hymns, choruses, and anthems proclaiming God’s greatness.  It’s a place of refreshing.  We come thirsty and leave filled.

David then writes of giving “thanks to the name of the Lord.”  At the house of the Lord, in the presence of the Lord, we give thanks to the Lord.  We thank Him for His favor and blessings.  We thank Him for His provision and protection.  We thank Him for healing and hope.  We thank Him for His Son and salvation.  We thank Him for peace and protection.  We thank Him for walking with us, going before us, standing behind us, and abiding within us.  We are reminded of simple blessings like clean water, warm homes, plenty to eat, and clothes to wear.  Once we begin to thank the Lord we find it hard to stop.  Our mind is flooded with the faces of people we have been blessed with.  We remember loved ones already in Heaven and we thank Him for the promise of seeing them again. 

Friend, may I encourage you, if you’re not faithfully involved in a church family, to find a church and get connected.  You need that connection with God and His people.  And I’d also encourage you today to take a few minutes and thank the Lord for His many blessings.  It’ll make your day better and it’ll improve your state of mind. 

Like the Psalmist, you’ll be glad…