“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” – Psalm 26:8
This verse is so much more meaningful to me due to covid. Even with livestream services, I greatly missed being in the house of God during our quarantine. Although I know it is not the building, but the people, being in church envelops me with a serenity and peace that is not in my house. I am not distracted by the phone ringing, the dog barking, the aroma of the morning coffee, or simply the ability to get up at will. In my Father’s house, there is a deeper reverence for worship that I do not find at home even though my heart seeks it.
I truly never thought I would see a day in America when there would be a mandate for churches to close their doors, but it happened in some places due to the pandemic. Fortunately, my church had the capabilities to livestream its worship services during the covid quarantine, but for me, it was not the same as being in the church building. While the actual place we meet is not what is important, the physical fellowship of like-minded individuals worshiping in spirit and in truth is essential in the practice of one’s faith.
During the height of the pandemic, our church services were livestreamed over the Internet. This was a tremendous blessing, but there was a subtle difference from meeting in the church building. After the quarantine, my church chose to meet in its gymnasium to facilitate social distancing, and that first Sunday I was back together with my church family was exhilarating! Psalm 122:1 states, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” It was as though a prison sentence had been lifted!
I have heard it said that a person never realizes what they have until it is gone. I can truly say that I never really understood the deep need in my own heart to be with other believers until I was no longer able to do it. Thankfully, I live in a place where churches are considered essential, and the doors have never been mandated to be closed. However, there is no guarantee that that will not happen in the future, so for now, I will happily wear a mask, have my temperature taken, and maintain social distancing if it means that I will be able to attend my church and worship together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I cherish the time I can be in my church hearing the Word of God preached and surrounded by like-minded Christians.
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
(from “We Gather Together” – author unknown)
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrew 10:25
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“The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church…is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the phone and spending an evening with her.” – Dwight L. Moody