A PILGRIM FEASTSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Going to church and meeting the living God is like a pilgrim feast that is full of joy. “I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
On every Sunday, joy fills you over the thought of meeting the living God in the church. Church is the house of our Heavenly Father.
“one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:6). Jesus says “My Father's house” (John 2:16)
Jesus Christ, at the age of twelve stayed back in the church at Jerusalem and when His mother questioned, “Son! Why did You stay back?” He responded, “Mom! After all I stayed back in my Father’s house. Can I not stay in my Father’s house” That was Jesus Christ’s response to His mother. He was longing to stay in His Father’s house. So also is your delight in going to the house of the living God.
Several years ago, I went to Singapore and from there decided to fly over to Malaysia. On approaching the booking counter I understood that a ticket was not available. Neither were tickets available in buses or cabs. I found people moving as a family and in huge groups up and down. I wondered, “Why am I not able to get a ticket?” Finally one person told me, “Sir! You have come at the wrong time. It is the Chinese New Year time. People from Singapore travel to Malaysia and vice-versa for visiting their parents”
The Chinese have a very wonderful custom. At the onset of a New Year, everyone along with their family members would go to their father’s home. Just imagine, an old couple living in a remote village eagerly waiting for the New Year when their children and grandchildren would arrive. Quite often they huddled themselves inside a small space. They never grumble about their comforts and have no complaints because joy fills the air. In the same way, you also come to the church for meeting your heavenly Father.
The Psalmist says, “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord” (Psalms 122:1)
I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise (Psalms 42:4). Going to church is like a pilgrim feast full of joy.
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, … (Hebrews 10:25)
Take this matter of meeting the Heavenly Father a serious one and delight in it.
Prayer:
Loving Lord,
Give me the grace to delight in meeting You. May I always look forward to the gathering of the brethren in the church of the living God as a source of comfort and joy. Bless me with the joy that king David had when people asked him to come to Your presence. Bless this day and protect me under Your mighty wings. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen. |