Psalm 87:1-3 "His foundation is in the holy mountains. (2) The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. (3) Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah."
I go back to the 48th Psalm to bring my thoughts concerning Psalm 87.
"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."
(Psalm 48:1-3)
There is a definite connection between these verses. The foundation (beginning)
of our fellowship with the Lord is in the Old Testament word, Zion. The New
Testament meaning for Zion is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is often
said that a person can worship the Lord just as well on the river bank as in
church. Though it is true that we can worship God wherever we might be, the
Lord has decreed that we are to meet with Him in public worship assembled with
other worshippers.
Why? The Lord loves "the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of
Jacob." Just a quick review of the man, Jacob. I know I have
referred to him often and it is necessary for us to understand the importance
of God's dealings with Jacob. It was after Jacob's conversion that the
Lord changed his name to Israel. Jacob, the old man, represents our carnal
nature. Israel, the new man, represents our spiritual nature after the new
birth and conversion. The Lord loves our spiritual nature more than all the
dwellings of our carnal nature. So, can we worship at the river bank? Yes, but
only when in the spiritual mind. It is too likely that we are exalting
nature more than the Creator while in that setting. God has told us to assemble
ourselves together with others of the same heart and mind in order to enjoy
that foundation of fellowship with Him.
I went back to Psalm 48 so we can understand that foundation (beginning) of
worship and fellowship. "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised."
The most beautiful place to praise the Lord is in the Old Testament place
called Zion or the New Testament place called the church. "God is known in
her palaces for a refuge." "The LORD loveth the gates of Zion."
Should we not want to be in the place where the Lord loves in order to
better show our love for Him?
As a side note, just now in my own experience - Not being able to attend
worship services leaves a great void inside of me. I watch some of the Facebook
Live worship services and I'm thankful for them. But it is not the same as
being surrounded by like-minded children of God who love the Lord and love each
other. I encourage each one to be diligent in church attendance and worship of
the Lord.