Close Fellowship

Psalm 122

Verse 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

Now that they have hit the city limits they continue their praising by reflecting on how the city limits resemble the community they belong to. The same should be able to be said of our community of believers too.

Most of us know that people want to belong because we ourselves like to feel like we are a part of something bigger. Jerusalem wasn’t a huge city by today’s standards but like most cities the housing was much more snug than it is in rural locations. After journeying through the countryside they now step into a space that may seem claustrophobic.

But these close quarters didn’t make them panicked. It reminded them of the blessing of being close together with God’s people, collected from all over the region. Just as we like to be joined with those who are like-minded, these journeys to Jerusalem would have been a time of joyous reunion of God’s people to celebrate what God had done in the past. But we aren’t just to celebrate what God has done in the past.

This is part of why we should be known as a worshiping people throughout the week. These ancient travelers were rejoicing all the way to the celebration. They were likely reminiscing about the things God had brought their ancestors through as well as the things that God had done for them during the past year. Doing this together would give them a sense of togetherness and that is an important thing in any life but especially for those who are sharing faith in God.

This is just as important in our day. Everyone wants to fit in someplace and have a place to belong. The Church should be the place anyone who loves God and desires to grow to be more like Him feels like they are loved and accepted. This isn’t saying we are perfect but that we are working together to worship God by repenting and living as He wants us to and helping each other do the same. This is the type of worship David knew and wanted others to know too.

Making It Personal

Have you ever felt like an outsider? Where do you feel most at home? Do you have this kind of relationship with your church family?

Making It Personal Kids

Do you have a place where you feel like you don’t fit in? Do you have a place where you feel like you do fit in? Do you feel at home with your church family?

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for bringing us into close fellowship with others. Give us wisdom on how to make others feel welcomed into Your family and loved. In Jesus’ name, amen.