A Day of Gladness

Vance Havner, a preacher of the early 20th century, known for his witticism and snappy quotes, supposedly quipped to a congregation where he was once preaching, “I seen happier faces on an iodine bottle.”

One preacher remarked about going into a congregation for Sunday worship and said, “You would think it was a morgue.”

David, a man after God’s own heart penned in Psalm 122:1.

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Other Psalms reflect David’s heartfelt joy to worship and praise God.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
–Ps 100:1-2

I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.
–Ps 111:1

My praise shall be of You in the great assembly;
–Ps 22:25

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
–Ps 84:10

The sentiment expressed in these Psalms speaks of the joy of worship. The Delight in praising God. The gladness found in Divine association.

What about you? Are you glad when Sunday comes? Is it a time of joyful expectation? An occasion for enraptured praise?

Gladness is an attitude of the mind. A spirit stirred by the emotional attachment we feel with God. The response of our innermost being that realizes without God there’s a void in our lives. And a conscious decision that says, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps.118:24).

When you attend Sunday worship, be glad. Be glad for the opportunity…

…To sing songs of praise.

…To learn more about God’s Word.

…To engage in fellowship with other Believers.

…To partake of communion, remembering Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.

…To collectively support the Lord’s work.

…To encourage others and be encouraged.

…To enjoy a respite from the busyness of life.

…To mediate on matters of eternal importance.

… To be reminded of what’s really important in life.

…To recharge your spiritual batteries.

…To give God pleasure by your earnest presence and heartfelt praise.

A. W. Tozer was right when he succinctly opined, “Without worship, we go about miserable.”

Be glad.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman