The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Gather My Saints"
Mrs. Johnson sees very little. She hears even less. She nevertheless faithfully attends our services conducted at one of the retirement communities where we minister. Yesterday, at the conclusion of our meeting, I spoke to her for a few moments. She thanked me for doing the services, and said, "It means so much to us that you and Frances come to be with us.
Gulp. Mrs. Johnson cannot see us very well. She likely hears little of the prayers we pray, the hymns we sing, or the sermons I preach. Still, it means something to her to be with us. Her words also greatly increased what it means to Frances and I to be with her, and with others who attending our meetings. This led me to think of someone else to whom it matters when believers gather.
"Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice" (Psalm 50:5).
What does it mean to God when He sees those who have trusted in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ and have covenanted with Him to receive His grace by faith? It likely matters far more than we can comprehend. Consider that most human beings ignore their Creator, and view other people as merely fellow travelers upon the earth. Believers rather see ourselves as brothers and sisters who share the same Heavenly Father, Savior, and Holy Spirit. Seeing us together for the holy purpose of acknowledging Him in love, praise, thanksgiving, prayer, hymnody, preaching, teaching, and rejoicing in God and each other doubtless blesses our Father's heart as the Christ who dwells within us moves among us by the Holy Spirit.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments, as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forevermore" (Psalm 133:1-3).
After speaking with Mrs. Johnson, I wondered if the Lord would say to all of us in our gatherings, ""It means so much to Me that you come to be with Me in the special administration of My presence I grant when My children meet." I suspect He would. A dear lady, greatly challenged in physical terms, but who nevertheless enjoys being with her Lord and His children, brought such a thought to mind. Even more, she helps us to realize that our joy in gathering proceeds from the joy of the One who gathers us.
"The Lord taketh pleasure in His people."
(Psalm 149:4)
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
(Psalm 122:1)
Weekly Memory Verse
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21)
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