“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:61
Today’s devotional verse was written during the reign of King Solomon at a time when the ark of the covenant was brought to the temple. After praying to the Lord, Solomon tells the people that their hearts must be complete in God, and to achieve that they must live according to the Lord’s laws for the rest of their lives as they are doing at that moment on that day.
When I apply this verse to my life, I think of Sunday as the “as of this day” for me. Sundays are special to me because this is the day that is set aside to worship the Lord with other believers, and I accomplish this by going to church.
I love church! I love everything about it. I notice that when I am in church, I feel differently than the rest of the week. I don’t mean in a mystical way. I mean my spirit is uplifted, joyous, and “perfect with the Lord.” I am encouraged; I am inclined to lift my voice in praise to Him more readily than I do at home, and I am closer to God in many ways. It is abundantly clear to me that the gathering together to worship with other Christians is vital to my spiritual well-being as written in Hebrews 10:25. If I want to keep my heart “perfect,” or complete in the Lord and experience the joy of Sunday all through the week, I need to walk in His statues. Here are some examples that will help me keep His commandments in my own home “as at this day” just as I do in church.
- SING – “I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (Psalm 104:33). I can sing along with the hymns of the faith or bask in the their instrumental melodies as I do things around the house.
- STUDY THE WORD – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). I can make time to read the Bible in my home, take notes (just like in a church service), and meditate upon its words. I can be open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, who can, by the way, teach on Mondays through Saturdays as well as He does on Sundays!
- FELLOWSHIP – “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). I can call a Christian friend for a chat, or I can even go visit them at their house! I can invite another believer over for a cup of coffee. I can even cuddle up with a grandchild and read a Bible story about Jesus with them! There are so many ways to spend time with other Christians that will encourage my heart!
- SERVE – “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). I can share the Lord by handing out tracts or going on visitations. I can support missionaries through prayer and giving. I can write cards of encouragement to others. There are so many ways I can serve the Lord on days other than Sunday.
Doing these things “as at this day” all the time will help me have a heart “perfect with the Lord.” What an exciting challenge for me for every day of the week!
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The family of God.
(from “Family of God” by Gloria and Bill Gaither)
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1
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Wherever God’s people are, there is the house of the Lord.