Ps.27:4 – One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD.
Coming to church just to worship is unknown to many folks today. Many come to hear a word of encouragement or maybe to see your friends. Others come because that’s just what people do, you know, go to church on Sunday. It’s been several years ago now, since we had the Covid restrictions put on the church, but those days really exposed a lot. For some people they liked the idea of staying home and catching a service somewhere on their television or computer. Others saw it as a relief, now I don’t have to feel guilty about not going to church. For others, they began to realize how valuable corporate worship was. David knew this very well; he had been exiled twice and the thing he missed the most was the presence of God in the gathering of God’s people. David loved the house of God because that’s where he was able to meet with God and behold His glory. Here is how Spurgeon describes this:
“What a word is that, “the beauty of the Lord!” Think of it, dear reader! Better far—behold it by faith! What a sight will that be when every faithful follower of Jesus shall behold “the King in his beauty!” Oh, for that infinitely blessed vision! And to enquire in his temple. We should make our visits to the Lord’s house enquirers’ meetings. Not seeking sinners alone, but assured saints should be enquirers. We must enquire as to the will of God and how we may do it; as to our interest in the heavenly city, and how we may be more assured of it. We shall not need to make enquiries in heaven, for there we shall know even as we are known; but meanwhile we should sit at Jesus’ feet, and awaken all our faculties to learn of him.”
Over the last couple of years we have had pre-service prayer on Sunday. This is really just a time of soaking worship preparing us for our Sunday worship services. The folks that come to this pre-service soaking prayer time clearly recognize what happens when we worship with others. Sure, we can listen to worship at home and we should, but it is just not the same. I have to agree with David – “One thing have i desired and that will I seek – to to behold the beauty of the Lord”.
