Jump Start # 4021
Psalms 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
Throwback Thursday: an article written from the Past
Who will remember you were here today?
After church services one Sunday morning, a dear sister drove home feeling quite alone. The dark clouds and misty rain only added to her despair. “I don’t think anybody even knows I was there today,” she thought.
There are times that many of us feel just like that lady did. We wonder if it’s worth the effort and what good it will do if we come to services. “Who’s even going to know that I was there” is the beginning of discouragement. There are times that the preacher may not remember you where here. We wonder if even the elders realize we were at services. We may ask, “Who will even remember I was there?”
Consider who will remember:
1. God will remember. God will see that you have remembered Him this day. God will gladly receive your praise and prayers this day. God remembers that you remembered the death of Jesus as you ate the Lord’s Supper. Who remembers? God does.
2. The Devil will remember. He knows what we are doing. He knows that you are trying to do what is right by worshipping the Lord, associating with godly people and trying to make a difference in your life. The devil would love to have you become discouraged and stay home. In the presence of God and his people you are more likely to be encouraged to live righteously. Away from that influence and you are more likely to give in to temptation and become weaker. The Devil will remember you were at services.
3. You will remember. You are doing what is right and good. You are establishing godly habits. Maybe something was said today that made a difference in your life. Maybe you said something to someone else that made a difference in their life. Months from now, you probably won’t remember the songs, prayers or sermons of this day, but like the gentle rain, each drop of goodness adds to our spiritual growth. It is good to be among those who worship the Lord.
4. Those at home will remember. In some families, not everyone attends services regularly. They may have stayed in bed this morning as you left for services. They see that worship is important to you. They will remember you as one who worshipped the Lord. Your neighbors notice every Sunday you leaving for church. Even though they may not go, they admire you for doing so week after week, in good weather and in terrible weather. But when you stay home, they notice.
Don’t be discouraged! You are doing a great thing by coming each service. Keep it up!
Roger
November, 2008