by: Allen Domelle
Psalm 122:1
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
I have been going to church my whole life. From the early days as a baby, my parents brought me to church, and I have continued to be faithful to church all these years. I wish I could say that my attitude towards going to church has always been what it should be, but there were times during my childhood when I endured church. My attitude towards church changed in my early teenage years, and that attitude adjustment changed my attitude towards God and His will for my life. It was truly all about my attitude.
In the verse above, God is dealing with the Christian’s attitude about church. The psalmist was glad that he was able to go “into the house of the LORD.” If you want to get something from the LORD every time you go to church, you are going to have to have the right attitude about church. I believe there are five attitudes taught in this Psalm that you must have about church if you want the LORD to speak to you every time you go.
First, you need to have an attitude of anticipating God’s presence. You will notice that the psalmist called it the “house of the LORD.” In other words, he was expecting God to show up. You would be surprised how your attitude for church would change if you anticipated God’s presence in church and His working in your heart. If you anticipate God’s presence, you’ll listen for His voice.
Second, you need to have an attitude of excitement. The psalmist was “glad” to be able to go to the house of the LORD. If you go to church with the attitude that you have to go, you will never get anything from the LORD. On the other hand, if you go with an enthusiastic attitude that you get to go to church and that you can’t wait to get there, you will find it will be an enjoyable and life-changing service.
Third, you need to have an attitude of reverence. The psalmist was in awe that his feet had the privilege of standing in the house of the LORD. Don’t treat church irreverently. I believe one of the problems we have in our society today is that we don’t have a reverence for the church house. It is not a playground, nor is it a place of business. It is church! Keeping a reverential attitude towards church will change what you get while you are there.
Fourth, you need to have an attitude of prayer. In verse 6, the psalmist went to the house of the LORD with the attitude that he was going to pray. You should go to church in a prayerful attitude asking the LORD to speak to you during the service, but you should also go expecting to respond during the invitation when He speaks. Friend, don’t just rush to church without prayer. Take a short time before you go and ask the LORD to speak to you. Once you’re at church, stay in the attitude of prayer expecting God to speak to you.
Fifth, you need to have an attitude of fellowship. In verse 8, the psalmist anticipated the fellowship with his “brethren and companions.” Don’t be late to church and quick to leave. Church should be a place where you fellowship with the brethren. It will help you to enjoy church better when you look forward to spending time with the family.
Church is great if you have the right attitude. The next time you go to church, employ these attitudes and watch how church becomes more enjoyable.