ENTERING CORRECTLY

"But as for me, by Thine abundant lovingkindness I will enter Thy house, at Thy holy temple I will bow in reverence for Thee." (Psalm 5:7)

WHILE A LOT OF HOARY TRADITION has surrounded, what men call, "going to church," some observations concerning attending an assembly of believers are in order. Some people attach no value whatsoever to going to a place dedicated to the Lord. They see the New Covenant as liberating men from any obligation to assemble, or meet together in the name of the Lord. By thinking in this manner, they have attached too much significance to their own opinions, and have exaggerated their own spiritual strength.

THE LORD PROMISED special benefits to those who were "TOGETHER." The Psalmist affirmed God would "command" a blessing on such a gathering (Psa 133:1-3). Jesus said He would personally be present where "two or three are gathered TOGETHER" in His name (Matt 18:20). God especially acknowledged those who "spoke often" to one another during the decaying times of Malachi (Mal 3:16-17). When Peter was imprisoned, believers were found "gathered praying" (Acts 12:12). The believers at Troas "gathered TOGETHER" in an "upper chamber" (Acts 20:7-8). Paul spoke of the Corinthians being "gathered TOGETHER" "with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 5:4).

SUCH HOLY CONCLAVES are anything but a perfunctory formality – although they are often so viewed by nominal Christians. The gathering of saints, however, should not be viewed as a mere formality, obligation, or a neighborhood get-together.

DAVID KNEW THE LORD could not be confined to a building constructed by men. Yet, he longed to be where there were no distractions, and he could concentrate on the Lord. He even envied the sparrows because they could nest near the Lord's altars (Psa 84:30). He was personally "glad" when they said to him, "Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psa 122:1). That was a good frame of mind. To be in the Lord's house was so important to David that he envied the sparrows who found a place to nest there. "Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God" (Psa 84:3). A heart like that is of great price in the sight of God!

AND HOW IS IT THAT he would enter into the house of the Lord? He acknowledges he would do so "in Thine abundant lovingkindness." By this he means he knew it was the Lord's mercy that allowed him to come into the Divine presence. He would also come into the Lord's proximity in contemplation of that mercy, lovingkindness, and grace. He would not come presenting the works of his own hands, but in joyful remembrance of the tender mercies of the Lord.

HE DID NOT COME out of a sense of mere duty or obligation, but in recognition of the mercy and lovingkindness of God – and there is a big difference in those perceptions. To be sure, slothful Christians are admonished, "forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is" (Heb 10:25). Such people need to be exhorted and stirred up to do what the remembrance of the Lord would compel them to do. Those who duly consider the tender mercies of God will NOT be guilty of that transgression! They know God's grace has made them what they are in Christ. That is why they are accepted "in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6). They "COME" into His house, and are not driven there like wayward sheep.

WHATEVER VIEW YOU MAY ENTERTAIN about structures and times of meeting for the people of God, it is good to ponder being reverent when entering into His presence. "I will bow in reverence for Thee," David acknowledged. Some of us have noted a strange absence of this mind-set among professed believers. There appears to be too much casualness, and too little consciousness of a gracious God.

SOME BOAST THEY ARE ALWAYS in the presence of God, and do not need a special place to meet Him – but I do not believe them. Jesus, who dwelt in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18), "often resorted" to Gethsemane for prayer. It was so common for Him to do so that even Judas "knew the place" (John 18:1-2). He also was found regularly in the synagogue (Lk 4:16) and the Temple (Lk 21:27). Are these pretenders stronger than Christ? I think not. Those who imagine they have advanced so far they have no need for special places and the people of God are not wise. Even Jesus "desired" to eat His last Passover with His disciples (Lk 22:15). It was also His "custom" to be in the synagogue on the Sabbath day (Lk 4:16). That is simply the manner of the Kingdom.

MAY THE SPIRIT OF DAVID be brought to fruition in you. Come into His Presence with an awareness of His Person and tender mercies, bowing before Him. Come "with gladness" and "with singing" (Psa 100:2). Tune your heart before you come to the Lord, and you will receive more from Him. Let your mind survey the things that have been revealed. Contemplate His rich promises. Consider His goodness and truth. You will be blessed in your deed.

– Given O. Blakely