King David wrote, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). In these meaningful words, David expressed his joy of going to the House of the LORD (the Tabernacle). Even before he got there, he made it known. Notice what he said, “I was glad when they said to me …” David certainly did not hide his excitement. Shouldn’t that be a wonderful encouragement for us to be excited about going to the house of the Lord.
This is not the only time that David expressed his zeal for being in the house of the LORD. On another occasion, he stated, “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; And to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4). Apparently, David pared down his life to just one main objective, which he was intent on pursuing. “One thing I have desired of the LORD.” How about you and me? Can we make church attendance be our top priority?
In Psalm 27, it is obvious that David is expressing his longing and hunger for the divine presence of Almighty God to be experienced in the Tabernacle . David’s “one thing” was not to actually seek something from God. Absolutely not. Instead, his desire was to “dwell in the house of the Lord.” The church sanctuary is where the presence of God is experienced. The fact that David expressed the “one thing he desired of the Lord” means his other desires would pale in comparison to his main desire.
God is glorified when His people gather together to worship Him. Hence, going to church provides a God-glorifying opportunity to meet with God and enjoy a warm fellowship with others “who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours” (2 Peter 1:1). Admittedly, unlike David, not everyone is enthused or thrilled when it comes to going to church. Some will even make flimsy excuses, such as, “I don’t have the time,” “I need to do better,” “I know enough about my faith,” or “No good churches nearby” And the list goes on. Excuses are easy to find until “reality” sinks in and some of those excuses no longer exist.
At the conclusion of his instruction to Timothy concerning church conduct, Paul wrote, “If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). This means that the church is the source of truth and the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in an ungodly and corrupt world. This is yet another valid reason to be in church. Thus, “making a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1).
The writer of Hebrews exhorts, “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24,25). This means that christians must not forsake the assembling of themselves together for worship and edification. And especially in view of the imminent return of Jesus Christ. The local church is where the gospel is preached and the word of God is taught.
Church attendance should not be treated lightly. God is the greatest reason for going to church, and the church represents the family of God. The songwriter puts it this way, “We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord.” It is one faith and one hope in Jesus Christ.