[300 words]
Praise the Lord! I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation” (Psalm 111:1).
We gather and worship on a different day than those spoke of in the passage above. Yet, God’s people have always been commanded to worship Him in a prescribed manner. The New Testament gives examples of what, when, why, and how to worship. Most Christians understand these things, yet, often many brethren go to worship out of a sense of “got to.”
Think about our giving and the prescribed attitude we are to have towards it: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). We see this commanded act must be purposeful (or planned) and done with cheerfulness. Giving can’t be done “grudgingly.”
Now, think about when we come to praise God on the first day of the week. If we come and do all the things we are to do by God’s word, will He accept “going through the motions” in our worship? I think you and I know the answer to that.
I believe if we would follow the example of how to give and apply that to our worship, we would satisfy and please God. Let our worship be purposeful and/or planned. Let us be cheerful or happy to be there. Do not allow Satan to tempt you to begrudge that time with praise of God. You don’t have anything better to do. This time belongs to God even if you have worked everyday this week.
Plan to be at worship with the saints on Sunday. Give God His due with a cheerful heart. If you purpose to be there, you will be.
Chris Moore
Clarendon church of Christ
Clarendon, TX