Have you ever stopped and considered the blessing you gain from your faithful attendance to the worship services of the Lord’s church? It is probably most often viewed as a fulfillment of a command (i.e. Hebrews 10:25). Indeed our assembly together is a fulfillment of a command, a very important one at that! But it is so much more as David points out in Psalm 34;
“1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!” (Ps. 34:1-3)
Notice in particular verse three where David is calling his brethren to come together with him in formal worship to God. And this is precisely what we too are commanded to do in Hebrews 10:25. But what is the purpose of these calls to assemble for worship? Is it merely a command to be obeyed? If we continue reading in Psalm 34 it seems apparent that David thinks that there is much more to the worship assembly than simply obeying a command:
“4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
David recognized that when we assemble together for worship we “see that the Lord is good”. We do this when we partake of the Lords Supper by remembering his selfless sacrifice for us. We do this by singing songs that lift our spirits. We do this by listening to His word that encourages and strengthens us. We do this by exhorting and encouraging one another by our mutual fellowship in a common spiritual work. When we assemble together for worship we most certainly fulfill a command of God. But we do so much more than that; we are the ones that receive a precious blessing, one that renews our strength and reinvigorates our hope for the coming week. “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him”
Gary Dent