Gladness grows when God's people gather to worship together.
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”Psalm 122:1 (KJV)
What does “Gathering” mean in Psalm 122:1?
This is one of the songs of ascent that pilgrims sang as they climbed toward Jerusalem. The psalmist remembers the moment when others invited him to go up to the house of the LORD.
Going deeper
Halfway through Lent, the church has long set aside a Sunday for gladness, and this verse suits it. David says that he was glad when others said, let us go into the house of the LORD. He does not describe a duty. He describes a joy. To be invited to worship with others gave him delight. That gladness is caught from one another. When we gather, we lend our faith to those who are tired, and they lend theirs to us.
It is easy to treat gathering as one more item on a busy calendar. Try to see it as the psalmist did, as an invitation. If you are already in the habit, thank God for it and think of someone you could bring along. If you have drifted away, this could be a good moment to come back. Send a friend a message this week and ask if they would like to go together on Sunday. You may be the invitation someone has been waiting for.
Reflect
Who could you invite to worship with you this week?
Pray
Lord, thank You for the gladness of gathering with Your people. Use me to invite someone in, and let our worship lift the weary. In Jesus' name, amen.
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