The Joyful Church

November 12

(Psalms 122:1-5 NIV) “A song of ascents. Of David. I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." {2} Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. {3} Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. {4} That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. {5} There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.”

(Romans 15:5-13 NIV)  "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, {6} so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. {7} Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. {8} For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs {9} so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name." {10} Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." {11} And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples." {12} And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." {13} May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

When we go to the house of the Lord, we should go with joy in our heart. David rejoiced at the thought of going up to God’s house to worship the Lord with others. He ascended in joyful praise. Too many Christians today see going to church as a chore. There are other places we’d rather be on Sunday. Joy, hope, and peace are far from our minds as we fake “coming together”. Instead of a joyful spirit of unity, we often enter a church marked by conflict, dissension, and factions. We sing our worship songs on auto-pilot. We dutifully give our offering. We endure the sermon. We go home. We no longer see church as a step up toward God. It’s a downer -- a weekly routine we struggle to get through. What does this say about our church? What does this say about our God? What does this say about us? We need revival. We must recapture a spirit of joyful ascension. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day