Gratitude is one of the most valuable traits we can cultivate in our lives. C.S. Lewis once said that an ungrateful heart was the first step toward apostasy and I would heartily concur with that brilliant man. When our hearts remain thankful we have the ability to hold on to the necessary and helpful truth that reminds us that we have been graced with so much more than we deserve. It is a wise heart that protects this with all of its might. When the seeds of ingratitude take root then the whole of our life is in jeopardy. God has been gracious to us and there are few arenas where this can be more powerfully displayed than a Sunday worship gathering with others who have so much for which to be thankful.
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.”- Hebrews 12:28 {ESV}
All of my sins have been expunged from my record before the holiest judge in existence. His eyes look upon my life and He declares me eternally acceptable and makes me His very own. He has lavished me with newness of being that exceeds my ability to completely define. He has exchanged my depression for joy. He has withdrawn my fear and placed assurance deeply within me. Defeatism and the victim mentality have been scattered by His breath as He declares me an overcomer and one made to triumph in Jesus Christ. The gift of prayer allows me to meet with Him in the room of faith. His holy Word serves to lighten my path and enable me to never again stumble. Then there is this aspect of the Christian family that I never once esteemed prior to being born into it. People like me – imperfect, tarnished, dented, scratched, limping, heart-crushed, abused, forgotten, discarded, devalued and contemptible have been brought forth by an unseen hand which opened wide the door into redemption and favor. God’s astounding grace is near-scandalous in that it welcomes any and all who trust Him, no matter their history, and provides them a glorious future which will blow their minds as eternal, measureless ages roll. Saints of God, we will enjoy eternity beside one another in the presence of our King! Let us endeavor to show Him the utmost honor by standing alongside one another today. Our Savior prayed that we would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:19-21). The Spirit of God moved upon the Apostle Paul as he wrote instruction for us to prefer others above our own selves (Philippians 2:2-4). Perhaps there are only a few things which more clearly evidence our gratitude to God for who He has made us than when we set aside time for nothing other than to worship Him with others who share our experience. We say to God, “Your children approach you with great joy and thankfulness for who You are and for what You have done.” Certainly we can do this apart from one another (and I trust that you do privately worship Him) but it must bring great joy to our Father’s heart to see us prioritize our time with one another also.
Worship has the effect of bringing you out of yourself. Corporate worship has the effect of taking what is brought out of you, mingling it with what is brought forth from others and presenting it in unified oneness to God as our gift of gratitude. Let your voice be heard today. Let your praise harmonize with mine. Let our King graciously receive what we put before Him in joy and gratitude. HE alone is worthy of our worship. We alone are the uniquely qualified to worship Him together.