Praise God In His Sanctuary

Saturday, September 26, 2015
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Psalm 122:1 – I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." (NKJV)

Some time ago, one of the regular contributors to these PresbyCan Daily devotionals wrote about the joining of two churches in the town where she lives. In the devotional, Sacred Cows, she commented on the fact that some of the members were quite anxious about how blending two different worship styles was going to work out.

She and I corresponded about this a little bit, and we discussed the different ways that worship is experienced in different churches and denominations. I mentioned the different churches that we have attended over the years as we moved from place to place: Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Austria, England, the Middle East, and also while on vacation to various other countries.

There have been so many different ways that we experienced worship. There were churches with fixed orders of service and others where things were more spontaneous. In some churches, communion was served as people knelt at the communion rail, while in others, we sat in the pews to be served. In other traditions, we went to tables set up at the front of the church. Some served wine in a common cup, while others used little individual glasses. Some served wine and others grape juice. Dipping (or intincture) of the bread in wine or juice in a common cup was also done in some churches.

The music was so different as well. In the traditional services, especially in Europe, there were pipe organs and big choirs. In others, there were praise teams with a piano, keyboard, drums, and guitars. There were some where no musical instruments were used at all. People who get used to (and insist on) only one way of worship should visit a dozen other churches!

Nevertheless, the psalmist tells us always to come to worship, wherever we are:

Psalm 150 – Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! (NKJV)

As we attend different churches, whether by choice or out of necessity, it is great to see that God is worshipped and adored, that prayers are offered in Jesus' name, and that hymns of praise are sung. Whatever situation we find ourselves in or wherever we are, it is good to go to the house of the Lord for worship.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, it is good to know that on any Sunday, we can go to Your house to worship You with fellow believers. We are thankful indeed, and we offer this prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen Joel.


    Joel, thanks for the reminder that worshipping God is what matters, not just how we praise him. Blessings.


    Hello Joel,
    Just a note to tell you how much I enjoy your PresbyCan messages … always inspiring and interesting.


    Thank you for today’s devotional.
    Encouraging you to continue your writing with the PCC devotionals.
    (ON)


    Hi Joel;
    Your devotional brought back memories of bygone months. As you say, it is good to go to the house of the Lord to worship, praise and sing hymns. Coming together and worshiping as one in Christ has been wonderful. We think ourselves of a family! God bless you and continue writing.


    Dear Joel:
    I enjoyed your devotional today. Yes, there are many forms of worship, but all are worshipping the same God.
    As I read, I was thinking of services I attended when in India – some sitting on the floor, or ground. Men on one side of the church, and women on the other.
    Keep on writing. I can usually tell when it is your devotional, but not always.
    Blessings.


    Hello Joel,
    First of all, Joel, thank you so much for your devotional today. I haven’t traveled around the world but been in a variety of worshipping experiences over my 90 years. My Grandpa, Daddy, and other family members, all preachers in the same denomination, going from no instrumental music, testimonies every service, altar calls and revival meetings, all the way to drums & guitars, no testimonies, altar calls and revival meetings. Amazing. Instruments were voted into the church in ’43 and my precious Mother had a piano put in the church.
    All this to say, at my age it’s not easy to have the organ pushed into the background, roll out the drums and guitars, the Praise team leading a congregation with few youth in a bunch of choruses we don’t know, and once in awhile throwing in a hymn when we sing out hearts out. But I have to remember why I am in church. All of the denominations are going through these changes.
    Thank you Joel. You made my day. God bless you real good.
    (Ca.)


    Great wisdom in this devotional.


    Dear Joel,
    I call this an EXPANSIVE and wholesomely broad-thinking devotional. Thank you.
    Praise ye the Lord in many ways!
    I have not driven for a few weeks. Last Sunday morning someone picked me up and I agreed to attend the church she attends with her. This was a refreshing worship experience for me.
    Keep writing.

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