Rejoicing As We Reassemble

REJOICING AS WE REASSEMBLE

Psalm 122:1-9

For approximately 2 months we were unable to assemble together and worship as a church family. For the last 3 weeks we have had the glorious opportunity to reassemble and worship our Lord and Savior. I don’t know about you, but for me the new has not even begun to wear off. Due to our recent circumstances, I now have a far greater understanding of what David meant when he said “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." Those words come from Psalm 122. This Psalm is identified as “A song of degrees”

Songs of degrees were Psalms that were sung by the Jewish people as they journeyed to Jerusalem to observe the specific feasts. These Psalms were designed to glorify the Lord and help prepare the hearts of the saints of God for worship. David rejoiced at the opportunity to go and worship the Lord. You and I have numerous reasons to rejoice today. We can rejoice because we belong to God; we are redeemed, set free and forgiven; we are Children of God, we are joint heirs with Jesus, we possess eternal life and we have been promised a home in Heaven.

It is exciting for us to assemble together once again. Some of you are taking a great risk by entering these doors. Unfortunately many are using the current situation as a good excuse to stay at home. We have asked those who are “high risk” to protect themselves and join us online; And we long for the day when they are able join us once again. However, there are some people who simply have no desire to attend church. People who truly belong to God should have an intense desire to worship the Lord, they should have a desire to hear from His word and they should desire to fellowship with His people.

I have been amazed by the joy that is seen in those who have returned to worship. Things are still far from what we would consider “normal”, but there is a sweet spirit in this place. I would like to look at Psalm 122 and see 3 reasons that we are able to rejoice today.

- As we do I want to preach on the thought “REJOICING AS WE REASSEMBLE”.

- Why do we rejoice?

1. We Rejoice Because We Can Obey The Lord’s Command

2. We Rejoice Because We Can Gather With The Lord’s People

3. We Rejoice Because We Can Praise The Lord’s Name

- Let’s begin by examining the fact that:

I. WE REJOICE BECAUSE WE CAN OBEY THE LORD’S COMMAND

v4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

Notice that David speaks of “the testimony of Israel”. This is a reference to God’s command to Israel to gather at the tabernacle, and later at the temple, for the three great Jewish feasts. These are:

1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread

2. The Feast of Pentecost

3. The Feast of Tabernacles

This verse shows one of the most important reasons for going up to the temple, and that is “To give thanks to the name of the LORD.” The people of Israel had many reasons to give thanks unto the Lord. Likewise, we have many reasons to give thanks to Him. Furthermore, we have the opportunity to give thanks unto the Lord. Not only do we have the opportunity, we have an obligation to worship Him.

Hebrews 10:25 (do not forsake) the assembling of yourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Attending church is a matter of obedience.

The Jews made long pilgrimages at appointed times to worship the Lord. They were required to do this, but they were also glad to do this! David said “I was glad when they said unto me ‘let us go into the house of the Lord”.

Not only should we attend worship… we should be glad to do so! There are some who attend but I’m not so sure they enjoy it! When we come to church we have the opportunity to commune with God. That should bring us great joy! We also have the opportunity to hear from God’s word every time we assemble together, I am thankful that everything we do is centered on God and His Word. Our teaching is Bible based, our singing consists of scriptural songs and our preaching comes directly from the Bible. It is all about Him and if it is not about Him it has no business in this place!

God’s word is essential!

Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.