There are few things which carry more of a sense of hope in my heart than Sunday, His day. We may believe we have grown so spiritual that no one day on our calendar has more significance than another. In a way, this is certainly true. Yet is it not more significant to gather with the saints in a single place to worship and pray and sing and give and serve and teach and learn and grow? Are we to believe that this is no more special than holding down a job, raking leaves, changing the oil in the car or shopping for groceries? Our own hearts will not allow us to make the significance of Sunday gatherings on equal ground as Thursday’s grind. Below are words of antiquity, written in a time when there were less distractions and fewer options for things which might master our loyalty. Let us hear them and pray them for ourselves.
O Lord, My Lord, This is Thy day,
the heavenly ordinance of rest,
the open door of worship,
the record of Jesus’ resurrection,
the seal of the sabbath to come,
the day when saints militant and triumphant unite in endless song.
I bless Thee for the throne of grace,
that here free favor reigns;
that open access to it is through the blood of Jesus;
that the veil is torn aside and I can enter
the holiest
and find Thee ready to hear;
waiting to be gracious,
inviting me to pour out my needs,
encouraging my desires,
promising to give more than I ask or think.
But while I bless Thee, shame and confusion are mine:
I remember my past misuse of sacred things,
my irreverent worship,
my base ingratitude,
my cold, dull praise.
Sprinkle all my past sabbaths with the cleansing blood of Jesus,
and may this day witness deep improvement in me.
Give me in rich abundance the blessings the Lord’s Day was designed to impart;
May my heart be fast bound against worldly thoughts or cares;
Flood my mind with peace beyond understanding;
may my meditations be sweet,
my acts of worship life, liberty, joy,
may my drink be the streams that flow from thy throne,
my food the precious Word,
my defense the shield of faith,
and may my heart be more knit to Jesus.