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When we consider church attendance, one main verse often comes to mind (Hebrews 10:24-25). That familiar verse has been discussed often, and because of this, we may think it is the only verse in the Bible that speaks about our gathering together as a local body of believers: church.

We have come to a period of time in history where many are forsaking the house of God, and because of this, they are missing out on God’s best for their lives. (And yes, when I say forsaking, I am speaking about those who choose not to personally, individually, physically gather with other believers at a specific time for a specific purpose. The definition of a local church necessarily calls for us to be gathered together, not in a virtual sense but in a physical one. The building is not necessary, but God’s people being together is essential.)

I would like us to consider the following verse out of the book of Psalms. 

Psalm 84:4 states, “Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.”

The inscription to this Psalm (Psalm 84) reads, “To the chief Musician upon Gittih, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.” Although the meaning of the word Gittih is up for debate, we immediately understand that the sons of Korah were Levites. Their sacred responsibility was to minister in God’s house. In this case, this was a hymn written for them (the sons of Korah). The Levites had the great privilege of ministering not only in the Tabernacle, but the Temple as well. This was the place where God designated for His people, the nation of Israel, to meet with Him.  

In verse 2 of this same Psalm, the psalmist expresses His yearning to be in the courts of the LORD. He cries out, “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.”

It is undoubtedly a sad state that we have come to when His people do not long to be gathered together and come to His house. The writer of this psalm well understood what a privilege it was in his day to be involved in the worship of God.

However, let us turn our attention back to the aforementioned verse. I want you to key in on the first word in verse 4. The Bible says, “Blessed are they dwell in thy house…” From this, we discover that there is a peculiar and special blessing attached to being in God’s house. Many will exclaim, “I am blessed,” when asked how they are doing. But I want to notice that those who do not come to the house of God cannot claim this blessing. What is the blessing? Well, notice the rest of the verse, the Bible states, “…they will be still praising thee. Selah.” 

How many Christians today run on empty when it comes to praising God? They find themselves in a place where they have lost the joy of their Salvation. They discover that they have lost the joy of the Christian life. Why? Because they have forsaken God’s house.  

Let me encourage you today to attend to your spiritual needs with great emphasis and come dwell in His house. God has designed for Christians in this time to assemble at the church house. 

As we start this New Year, would you consider not forsaking the Sunday Morning Bible Study Group meetings at 10 am? Would you consider coming to the morning and evening services on Sunday at 11 am and 6 pm? Would you further consider not missing out on the spiritual blessing of meeting with God’s people on Wednesday nights at 7 pm?