Psalm 48:1-3 "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. (2) Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (3) God is known in her palaces for a refuge."
This Psalm speaks to us concerning the House of the Lord. How do
you feel about God's House of worship? David was in love with the Lord
and also the Lord's House. I realize there are those who feel they can
worship God just as well on the creek bank or the beach or wherever. I do not
dispute that God is to be worshipped wherever we are. But nowhere else can the
Lord be worshiped to the same height as when we are in His House alongside
others who believe and love the Lord as we do. Someone might say that is just
my opinion, but I would disagree. And not only that, but God's Word backs me up
concerning the importance of coming together to worship our Lord and Saviour,
Jesus Christ.
"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews
10:23-25) Our complete focus and goal when we come into the Lord's House
should be only the worship and exaltation of our Lord Jesus. A few hours
a week in a public gathering of worship is not too much when we truly
understand what He has done for us and His faithfulness to us. God's House has
been referred to as a Spiritual "filling station." I understand
that concept, but I disagree with it; rather, God's House is a place to bring
our sacrifices of praise and honor unto the Lord. In a sense, it is not a place
of filling; rather, a place to give back to the Lord that which is due His
name. "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in
the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2) But the beauty of that statement is
that the more we give unto the Lord in worship, the more fullness we experience
of His presence.
"Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." Then we read in today's
text, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount
Zion." Mount Zion is the place where Jerusalem and the temple were
located. The Church is the subject when you read about Mount Zion in the Old
Testament. The Church is a beautiful place to be. I'm not speaking of the
materials in which it is built; rather, this speaks of the Solid Rock upon
which the church of Jesus Christ is built. There is no more beautiful place to
be than when we enter God's House with a heart that is filled with
thanksgiving, praise, glory, and honor unto the Lord.
David understood this great truth. I pray we do as well. Let us be diligent and
not forsake the assembling of ourselves together in the House of God. Not only
is it a blessing to us, but I assure you that you are a blessing and an
encouragement to others through your presence in the Lord's House.