My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?1Psalm 42:2 (ESV)
There are many reasons why we gather for worship with other believers on a weekly basis; fellowship, corporate prayer, encouragement, confession, service, observing of the sacraments, teaching and preaching of God’s word. All of these and more are great reasons for believers to gather. Gathering for corporate worship is not optional for believers who desire to obey God’s directive of not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:25). Corporate worship is essential for the spiritual growth of believers.
However, there may yet be another reason for believers to gather for corporate worship–to appear before God. “The Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon, wrote, “It would be well if all our resortings (attendance) to public worship were viewed as appearances before God. It would then be a sure mark of grace to delight in them.” God is in the midst of our corporate worship. He dwells in the praises of his people (Psalm 22:3). It should be our souls’ delight to appear before him.
One can almost hear the hearts’ cry of the sons of Korah: “When shall I come and appear before God?” Their longing to appear before God came from a soul that was thirsty for the living God. They wrote, My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. (Psalm 84:2 ESV) Their souls thirsted to appear before or to see the face of,the God who was living, Elohim, the Supreme, Almighty God who created heaven and earth. This was the cry of king David’s heart as well. He wrote, O God [Elohim], you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1 ESV)
How thirsty are we for the living God when we enter the sanctuary for worship? Do we see corporate worship as a time to “appear before God” or “see the face of God”? Do we come to worship as the Greeks who said, “We wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21) or maybe with the longing of Absalom who thought it better to stay where he was if he could not see the face of the king (2 Samuel 14:32). Do we come expecting to behold the living God? And dare we come to appear before the living God empty-handed?
Israel was commanded to appear before God three times a year (Exodus 23:14-17). Never were they to come empty-handed. They were to come with offerings. During the Feasts of Ingathering and Harvest they were to come with the firstfruits, the best of their labors. Their offering was to be a sacrifice of thanksgiving to acknowledge that God was their provision. We should offer no less.
God’s word encourages us to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name (Hebrews 13:15). We too must bring the firstfruits of our thanksgiving to God not only to corporate gatherings but every day. We are not to bring our leftovers but the best we have to offer, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, in acknowledgment to the living God for his goodness to provide. For, God has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). And he has provided it all through his Son, Jesus. And Jesus has purchased it all for us with the blood of his cross.
Corporate worship is not a time for spectating. Our hearts and flesh should long to sing for joy and ours souls thirst to appear before the living God.
Do you see corporate worship as a time to appear before God? Does your soul thirst to see him?
Scriptures for meditation:
Psalm 143:6