When a nation conquered another nation, it was typical to use the existing buildings; after all, destroying and rebuilding didn't involve earth movers and cranes. Every bit of the work would be done manually. But God told the Israelites they were not to simply repurpose the shrines used by the Canaanites in order to worship the Lord.
We see a similar practice at work today. Many believers want to repurpose ungodly practices or beliefs and "spiritually sanitize" them to worship God. We get hung up on our national pride or rugged individualism and forget that God has called us to be citizens of His kingdom and to be in community and fellowship.
He told the Israelites that He would identify the place where they were to gather to worship, just as He identified what practices constituted worship.
You may be able to worship God "as well on the golf course as you can in the church," but God has called us to join with other believers to worship. Does that mean we must be in the church every time the doors open? No. Are there times when we may choose to enjoy worshipping with others outside of the church building? Of course.
But we cannot continue to grow and thrive in our relationship with God in isolation. And that means more than simply attending a service each week. That means getting involved with other believers. Getting to know their needs, and sharing with transparency and vulnerability your own failures or challenges. Asking for prayers that go deeper than for us to "have a good week" or "do well on a test or work assignment."
Being in community with other believers is hard. Because (just like us) they mess up a lot. They say hurtful things. Or they fail to come to our aid when we need them. They ask for help repeatedly and are often unable to give when others are in need. But being in community teaches us so much about God's grace - because every thing that we find ourselves doing to one another, God has received the same. And still He sent His Son to save us. Still His Holy Spirit bears with us.
Praying for you as you worship Him today, wherever that may be, that you would find a community of believers to encourage you in your journey.
We see a similar practice at work today. Many believers want to repurpose ungodly practices or beliefs and "spiritually sanitize" them to worship God. We get hung up on our national pride or rugged individualism and forget that God has called us to be citizens of His kingdom and to be in community and fellowship.
He told the Israelites that He would identify the place where they were to gather to worship, just as He identified what practices constituted worship.
You may be able to worship God "as well on the golf course as you can in the church," but God has called us to join with other believers to worship. Does that mean we must be in the church every time the doors open? No. Are there times when we may choose to enjoy worshipping with others outside of the church building? Of course.
But we cannot continue to grow and thrive in our relationship with God in isolation. And that means more than simply attending a service each week. That means getting involved with other believers. Getting to know their needs, and sharing with transparency and vulnerability your own failures or challenges. Asking for prayers that go deeper than for us to "have a good week" or "do well on a test or work assignment."
Being in community with other believers is hard. Because (just like us) they mess up a lot. They say hurtful things. Or they fail to come to our aid when we need them. They ask for help repeatedly and are often unable to give when others are in need. But being in community teaches us so much about God's grace - because every thing that we find ourselves doing to one another, God has received the same. And still He sent His Son to save us. Still His Holy Spirit bears with us.
Praying for you as you worship Him today, wherever that may be, that you would find a community of believers to encourage you in your journey.
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