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Psalm 122:1-5
A song of ascents.

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 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. There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

Worshiping with other believers is a time of joy and celebration. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us not to neglect gathering times for the spiritual community. We come together to sing, praise, pray, hear God’s word and respond to what He is teaching us. When a person experiences real worship and says, “I got nothing out of it,” that usually means, they put nothing into it.

As Old Testament believers made their way to Jerusalem for the festivals there was incredible expectation. It was a time of boundless rejoicing! There was no complaining about the crowds of people “closely compacted together.” They were excited to be shoulder to shoulder with others who loved and worshiped God.

How about you? Do you rejoice when it’s time to gather for worship? Do you prepare yourself to meet with God? Are you joyful when people are “closely compacted together” for worship? Are you excited to be joining with others to praise God? Remember, worship starts with you. What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.

Father, the world is full of complainers, faultfinders, and finger-pointers. Help us to be joyful worshipers and exultant servants of You—the Maker of heaven and earth. In Jesus’ name. Amen