Thursday, May 23, 2013

“A Month of Thankfulness” Devotional Series (Day 23)


“There Am I In The Midst Of Them.

SIH’s Think On These Things: Matt 18:20

 

 

 

Originally, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were given the privilege of fellowship with Jehovah, their Creator (Gen 2:8-25 Gen 3:8-10).  Based upon their rebellion and disobedience their relationship with God was ruptured resulting in their separation from Him (Gen 3:22-24).   But God has graciously allowed sinful mankind to once again enter into eternal communion with Him.  (1 Thess 2:19, Rev 21:3-5)  

 

This restored communion with God is given to man through faith in Christ and His death on the cross.   According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:  In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (Eph 3:11-12).  Every Christian enjoys renewed fellowship and communion with God as members of His spiritual family. (Eph 2:14-18).

 

Throughout God’s Word, His earthly worship is shown to be a very important aspect of our renewed fellowship.  This aspect of fellowship is illustrated for us in the book of Job, where we find forgiven men who have been adopted into God’s family being allowed into the presence of God…. Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. In this text, they were entering God’s presence during an earthly worship meeting, with Satan entering in among them (as he was seeking whom he may devour - 1 Pet 5:8, in this it would be Job).   This same principle is presented to us in Matt 18:20 – For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

 

In Col 3:16, a typical worship service is described… Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. In this text, we find the three essential elements to worship (and commune with God) put on display: the Word being received into our hearts, the sharing of His truths with others through teaching and singing, and the prayerful attitude of the heart seeking His grace. 

 

Let us come before our Lord today, thanking Him for allowing us to regain our fellowship with God through faith in Him.  But especially, let’s thank Him for the Biblical assemblies of worship that continue to exist on earth.  For it is through these churches that we can enter into a special level of communion with Him as we await the ultimate experience of fellowship with Him… eternity in New Jerusalem.

 

May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.

 




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