Psalm Steps>> “Why Worship?” Psalm 122 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts
I spend a lot of my time talking to people who don’t go to church. I’ve heard all the flimsy excuses people give for not attending worship. One I hear a lot is, “There are too many hypocrites”. Author Philip Yancey said he was turned off by hypocrisy in the church until a thought occurred to him: “What would my church look like if every member were just like me?” He decided to concentrate on his own spirituality, and not worry about others. Other excuses: “I’m too busy”, “It’s the only day I can sleep in”, or “I had a bad experience in church so I don’t go anymore”. For this last one, I usually reply that I had a bad experience in a restaurant once, so I don’t eat out anymore! It’s a ridiculous argument—find another “restaurant”, but don’t go hungry!
While I try to encourage people to return to church, I find I have to pray and rely on the Holy Spirit to convince them of the one reason to attend church, which is God. The word “worship” comes from an old English word “worthship”, meaning that God is worthy; He deserves our praise. Worship is our response to all God is and says and does. When we really believe God deserves our worship, nothing will keep us away from church. It’s simply a matter of priorities. Worship has been described as “the most urgent, the most glorious action that can take place in human life” (Barth).
Some people seem to have a bargain with God, a contract-faith: “I’ll follow God if He treats me well.” (meaning when life doesn’t fit my expectations, I give up on God). In worship we learn to respond to the ups and downs of life. We discover that faith means trusting in God even when life doesn’t make much sense. Others think that church is a place to be entertained (self-centered religion)—if it’s enjoyable, they’ll come…but at the end of the “show”, the only applause that matters comes from God.
Why is David glad when he’s told, “Let’s go to the house of God” (vs 1)? He knows that he will find his true spiritual family there. He knows that He will learn more about how life really works; he knows he’ll gain strength for the days ahead. Nothing’s going to keep him from worship. How can we know a person’s priorities? By what that person does willingly, voluntarily.
Worship is not described here as an individual act. We do not live in isolation—we are part of something larger. Faith isn’t purely internal; it has to be lived in community. My body ought to be available to the Body of Christ! Paul Tournier wrote, “There are two things we cannot do alone—one is to be married and the other is to be a Christian.” We need each other. Some people come to church to be left alone, to be spectators; we need to participate in what is going on in worship. We’re not the audience when we come to church—God is the audience. When we leave, we shouldn’t be asking, “What did I get out of church?”, but rather, “Was God pleased by my worship?” There are many ways to worship God when we gather in His house; though styles of worship vary, we come to church to encounter and exalt the Lord God.
In ancient Israel, Jerusalem was the exclusive place to worship. A Bible scholar said that whenever he visited Jerusalem he felt like he was standing at the very center of the world. We have a special affection for where we were born and raised; we feel patriotic regard for our nation’s capitol. But no sentiment can equal the thrill that Jews and Christians feel for the holy city of Jerusalem. When I visited there in 1987 I was in awe of the antiquity and spiritual significance of this city. I saw it as my spiritual home.
Jerusalem is described in vs 3 as “a city that is closely compacted together”. In Jerusalem the twelve tribes of Israel came together in unity (vs 4). The city is more than architecture—it is people living together. Some of our ladies are making a church quilt—the various pieces will fit together to form a beautiful statement of who we are. In the same way diverse people (not the building) make up our church. Our unity is enriched by our diversity. We come here to break down barriers in an atmosphere of unconditional acceptance. David is describing the architecture of the city to make a point—the stones of the city fit together harmoniously, making it the place to go when life seems to be falling apart. Without worship, something is missing; we are incomplete, unfinished. We find direction and purpose for our journey when we come to the house of the Lord.
Some people accuse faith of being a “crutch”, something for weak people who can’t make it on their own. Self-sufficient, self-satisfied people find false comfort in what they think is secure; eventually they realize that what they’re trusting in isn’t enough. My faith is in God’s word—not the Dow Jones Industrial Average. One thing about a crutch—it helps keep you from falling. Faith is indeed a crutch—and it works! It gives us needed support. However, church has little to offer to those who refuse to admit their need.
David adds that the tribes gather to “praise the name of the Lord” (vs 4). Augustine wrote that “A Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot.” Praise is the appropriate response to God’s goodness. Sometimes we don’t feel like praising. Our emotions too often govern us—yet the Bible is clear that God wants our worship whether we feel like it or not. When we discipline ourselves to faithful worship we will discover how our faith is increased and our relationship with God is being nurtured.
Verse 5 explains that in Jerusalem stood “thrones for judgment”. The word for “judgment” means a clear, decisive word by which things are set right. In a world filled with uncertainty, we come to church to be informed, to hear a decisive, authoritative word; we come to hear: “Thus saith the Lord.” Church is a place to find forgiveness. It’s not a place where we’re condemned but a place where we can find what to do about our guilt. Some churches appear very judgmental; they seem to specialize in making people feel bad…every church should be a place of healing. Sin is the problem, and the blood of Christ is the solution. Sin separates us from God, but Christ offers to be our bridge to life!
On our prayer lists we need to include verse 6: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem”. Recent bombing raids in Israel were in retaliation for terrorist attacks. Until the attack on our nation, no place has been in more need of prayer. The word peace, “shalom”, means wholeness. “Jerusalem” ironically means “city of peace”. We find peace by the work of God within. God’s peace gives us a calm assurance that we belong to Him, and are living according to His plan. When we find peace with God, we can then live at peace with others. By Jerusalem’s reliance on God, David is realizing that the strength of the city is not measured by economic indicators or military superiority—it comes from God.
Then there’s the matter of fellowship: “To dwell above with saints we love, Oh that will be glory! To dwell below with saints we know…that’s another story.” Part of being in the Body of Christ means loving the unlovable. David declares in vs 8, “For the sake of my brothers and friends I will say ‘Peace be within you’.” My presence in church tells others that God is important in my life and that they are important to me as well.
We who know Christ as our Savior will one day journey to what the author of Hebrews calls our “heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God” (12:24). The book of Revelation describes this “new Jerusalem” as the perfect fulfillment of the City of God.
We’ve seen what religious extremism and cultic fanaticism can do—the Taliban shows its hatred for God by murdering innocent people in God’s Name. It’s been said, “When we cease to worship God, we do not worship nothing, we worship anything” (Chesterton). Those who reject the Truth embrace lies, and it shows in their actions.
We, the Church, strive to present to the world a harmonious front. We have a mission to communicate God’s praise and glory. I heard of a high school band that was attempting to perform Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in concert. It was a struggle, and Ludwig may have been rolling over in his grave during the rehearsals. Performing Beethoven is a considerable effort even for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, so why inflict such a demanding piece on high school musicians? The reason given was profound: This high school performance would give some people in the audience their only encounter with Beethoven’s great Fifth Symphony. Far from perfection, it was nonetheless the only way they would hear Beethoven’s masterpiece. We at Cliftondale Congregational Church are also far from perfect, but in our worship we hope to sing out a melody of praise to God that will resonate in the hearts of people.
Prayer: Father-God, we are on holy ground, considering the wonder and mystery of Who You are. We proclaim Your majesty in all that You are, in all that You do, in all that You say to us in Your word. We confess how far short we come in our own personal worship, yet we’re relieved to know that You accept us through Christ our Lord.
Thought to ponder: “Worship does not satisfy our hunger for God—it whets our appetite. Our need for God is not taken care of by engaging in worship—it deepens. It overflows the hour and permeates the week.” -Eugene Peterson
Church Bulletin Insert:
Fill in your thoughts on how the church does the following in worship>>
o We congregate…
o We celebrate…
o We confess…
o We commemorate…
o We contemplate…
o We consecrate…
o We communicate…
