The people of God loved the city of Jerusalem because it was the first place chosen by God to be the city where he would record his name.  So they were filled with joy to go there to worship and praise him.  While we are called upon to worship God in our homes and wherever we are, it is God’s will that we also worship him together “in the house of the Lord”.  For there we receive instructions from God and have the opportunity to give honor ands glory to his holy name as well as offer our heartfelt thanks for all his blessings.

Is not the “house of the Lord” also a place where we most feel at peace with God and ourselves?  Why is that?  Because we know that no matter the tumult and disruptions of life in this world, we have peace in our hearts because of what Jesus did for us.  By his death on the cross the final victory over all sin, world and our flesh has been won thus assuring us of our ultimate place in heaven.