“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” (Psalm 122:1 NASB)
“They” want you to be glad that “they” said, “Let us go to the house of the Lord, and you did. Furthermore, “They” don’t want you to be merely glad you heard their words articulated, clearly communicated to you at this very moment, on this early Saturday morning. No! “They” want you to actually make it to church service tomorrow, because of “They Said.”
If you are saying, “He always urges us to attend church directly or indirectly in the Saturday editions of Mark Writes,” that’s true! Why? Because that is where you belong! Why? Because on top of positional sanctification being available, being in Christ, progressive sanctification shall be experienced as we are further equipped to operate from day to day in such a way that others see the Christ in you. Why? Because church pews are vacant and those who have vacated the importance of being in the special assembly of the saints, and more significantly, in the special presence of the Lord; those individuals need to be invited to take their seat in among the righteous who realize that they shall be the recipients of specific instructions sent from above for a specific purpose. Why do I urge you on Saturday to attend church? Here are a couple of more reasons. You will always come out better than when you came into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Your godliness will be caused to wake up to a new level in your walk. Also, you will be encouraged by the presence of other saints, people who will persuade you to strengthen you walk with Lord, regardless of what you are going through, by the fact that regardless of what “They” are going through or have been brought through, they trust in God.
Oh, did I hear someone ask, “Who is the ‘They” in the first verse. I’m glad you asked. “They” could be fellow brothers and sisters who are planning to ascend to the place of worship and desire your company in the house of the Lord. “They” could refer to those who were once held captive by the things in this world or caught up by evil influences or by strayed due to self-developed priorities, but they experienced freedom and joy themselves, once they came to the concrete conclusion that there is certain joy in worshipping our Creator and the Christ. “They” for sure includes all the saints who care for you and would like the words of the lyrics written by William C. Martin in 1910, used as our closing this morning, your sincere sentiment going forward after service ends tomorrow. Take a look!
Now, have a great Saturday and remember “They” hope you just cannot wait to be present at church tomorrow. “They,” and in the highest sense, “They” is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, will be delighted to see you in your rightful place, the place where revival takes place, rededication occurs, and reversing from the going in the wrong direction ceases, and a return to walking with the Lord, holding to His unchanging hand takes places. “They” want you to be glad yourself, glad to be in the worship service one more time. Be blessed!
“I trust in God wherever I may be,
Upon the land, or on the rolling sea,
For come what may, from day to day,
My heavenly Father watches over me.
I trust in God, I know He cares for me;
On mountain bleak or on the stormy sea;
Though billows roll, He keeps my soul;
My heavenly Father watches over me.
He makes the rose an object of His care,
He guides the eagle through the pathless air,
And surely, He remembers me;
My heavenly Father watches over me.
I trust in God, for, in the lion’s den,
On battlefield, or in the prison pen,
Through praise or blame, through flood or flame,
My heavenly Father watches over me.
The valley may be dark, the shadows deep,
But, oh, the Shepherd guards His lonely sheep;
And through the gloom He’ll lead me home,
My heavenly Father watches over me.”
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King