Monday, October 22, 2012
Psalm 48:9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
WHY GO TO CHURCH?
Some people travel great distances to get to church on Sunday. They wake up especially early to arrive by the time the bell rings and the first hymn is sung. What makes them willing to make the extra effort each week? In fact, why do any of us head for God's house--especially on those days when it would be easier to stay home? Do we work hard to come to God's temple because of what we have to offer God? We know this is not the case. We have nothing that He would require. On the contrary, even our most righteous acts are tainted by sin. No, we come to church because there, as the psalmist says, we meditate on God's unfailing love.
The more time that passes, the closer each of us gets to eternity, the more trials, struggles, and difficulties we face in life, the more we need and want to hear of God's unfailing love and the comfort that message gives to our hearts. The more our own love for one another fails, the more we need to hear of Jesus love that does not fail, that self-sacrificing love demonstrated when He laid down His life at the cross, bearing the guilt and punishment of everyone on earth. The more we understand the depth and seriousness of our wickedness that sent Him to Calvary, the more we need to be filled with the words of His forgiveness to calm our consciences and give us confidence for the future.
It is the peace He gives us in His word that draws us to church. We call it a church "service" after all because it is a time for Him to serve us, to heal our spiritual wounds and enfold us in His loving arms.
With His forgiveness in hand, then we can open our mouths to pray, praise, and give thanks!
