Psalm 122:1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

This short, simple verse is one that is often taught to small children, but it is equally applicable to adults. Far too often we look at gathering to worship as an obligation, or conversely, as though God owed us something because we went to church. The problem is certainly not new though, because even the writer of Hebrews mentioned it. (Hebrews 10:25) As he says, it’s easy to get into the habit of not going, perhaps easier than the habit of going. As the Psalmist knew, going to worship God should be a joy. We can and should worship God outside of special buildings, individually even, but there is a special flavor to corporate worship, and frankly, the devil wants to keep us from it. He supplies all sorts of excuses: the church is full of hypocrites, it’s going to be boring, you aren’t good enough, and on and on. None of those hold up under examination, though all of them have a kernel of truth. There are indeed hypocrites in church, but not going because of that is setting yourself up as better than they are, when you aren’t. Occasionally church may be boring, but the problem there is much more likely to be in the attitude of the one bored than in what is actually going on. (Actually, some churches try so hard not to be boring that they become entertainment centers rather than places to meet God, and that is totally self-defeating.) In all honesty, you aren’t “good enough” to go to church, but accepting that excuse is totally missing the point of worship, which is that God is totally worthy of all the worship we could possibly give Him, and more. All of these excuses and more share one common thread: they are centered on people rather than on God. Worshiping God is a privilege. We need to do it precisely because it allows us to take our focus off of ourselves and put it on God, where it belongs. That is enormously valuable, and refreshing in a way that nothing else can be.

Some might think I am being self-serving in writing this because I am a pastor, but I need to gather with others to worship as much as anyone. I certainly have my times of private, personal worship, but there is a special blessing in corporate worship that can be had no other way. This past Sunday I was at a conference that had nothing to do with organized religion, though I was asked to lead a time of prayer. Thankfully, I went from there to a place called Gospel Town, where I not only attended their Wednesday night service, I also took part in daily 5:30 am prayer meetings. Over my years of pastoral ministry I have encountered all sorts of excuses for not gathering to worship. I’ve learned that I need to confront those in love, not letting the devil get by with lying like that. He is out to steal, kill, and destroy, (John 10:10) and I am not to stand idly by and let him do it.

Father, You know who is struggling with this issue even today. I ask Your grace for them, and I pray that nothing would be able to hinder anyone You are calling to worship You today, either here or in any other part of the Body of Christ. I pray that people would gather with an expectation of encountering You, and not be disappointed. May we all worship in spirit and in truth, by Your Holy Spirit, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!