Corporate Worship

Reading:  Psalms 109 - 118
My Verse:  (111:1)  "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah!) I will praise and give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart in the council of the upright and in the congregation."

Lord, when I first read Richard Foster's section on the Corporate Disciplines in his book The Celebration of Discipline I did so with some trepidation.  Being a very private shy person I think I wanted to just keep my relationship with You that - private!  As I have read and studied Your word and read other authors You have revealed to me the error in that thinking.  While there is private worship and private intimacy between us, You also want me to be a part of the family.

Throughout scripture the church is referred to as the 'body' of Christ.  We are individually referred to as parts -vital parts of that body.  We need each other.  "And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up to love and helpful deeds and noble activities.  Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10: 24,25)  This directive was given to the church in a time when it was actually dangerous to gather as a group of believers - but it was that important.

There is something special that happens in a gathering of believers that does not happen in private worship.  Thomas Kelly puts it this way:  "A quickening Presence pervades us, breaking down some part of the special privacy and isolation of our individual lives and blending our spirits within a superindividual Life and Power.  An objective, dynamic Presence enfolds us all, nourishes our souls, speaks glad, unutterable comfort with us, and quickens us in depths that had before been slumbering."

Yes, I have felt that.  It has taken me awhile but I am finally learning to realize the blessing You want to give me through Your church by me attending church!  Foster calls it "divine interpenetration - a deep inward fellowship."

So thank you, Lord, for bringing me along to this truth.

"He will bless those who reverently and worshipfully fear the Lord, both small and great."  (115:13)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!