Time Out for Worship
Scripture Reading — Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
—Psalm 100:1-2
Today, in almost every country, millions of people will come together in chapels and in churches, indoors and outdoors, to worship God. Others, not able to join in, will worship God by way of radio or television or Internet. For Christians, Sunday is a day to worship.
Sadly, not everyone feels the need to worship. A Christian college student told me that public worship was a waste of time. “Christians,” she said, “should be out there doing something worthwhile instead of sitting in church.” When I asked someone why he had not been in church for the past 18 years, he simply said, “There’s nothing there for me.”
So why worship? Psalm 100 gives the answer. Worship is our imperfect way of acknowledging who God is. It is our way of saying thank-you to God for all he has done for us through Jesus Christ. Worship is intended to give God his due.
And when we worship, we “worship the LORD with gladness,” with hearts filled with joy and gratitude. Psalm 100 gives us several reasons: God made us; we belong to him. The Lord is good; his love endures forever. God’s faithfulness continues through all generations.
Make sure you worship this God today and every day!
Lord, thank you for the freedom to worship you publicly. Bless those who do not have this freedom or who are not able to join with others. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!