God’s Favourite Place
And when I smiled really enthusiastically, I think he thought I was a lunatic!
Reference: v.2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: I’ve been to a Christian conference where over 20,000 people came to gain wisdom, learn practical ministry, and worship together. There is no church in Australia that can hold that many people, so the conference was held in a sports stadium.
There was something truly powerful about standing in the sports stands and looking around to see thousands of people praising God.
What I loved even more was walking around the area all through the day knowing that everyone else was there to worship God and to learn more about ministry. There was a unity that bound all us strangers together.
When we stopped at a petrol station on the way home from the conference, I forgot that everyone at the service station was not in the same frame of mind as me. And when I smiled and greeted the service attendant really enthusiastically, I think he thought I was a lunatic!
Application: When the Psalmist refers to the ‘gates of Zion’ in the 87th psalm, it is thought that this was the place where all the people congregated to catch up, do business and gather to enter into the worship space.
It’s no surprise that the God who created us to be in community loves the place where people gather – particularly when they are gathering to connect with Him.
It could be in church, at a sports stadium, or even at a service station; when we gather to honour and connect with God then he dwells there too.
Prayer: Lord, I’m so glad that our worship is not confined to the four walls of a building. May we establish the ‘gates of Zion’ wherever we go. Amen.
Is there a place, outside the church building, where you gather to connect with others and with God?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.
1 comment:
Hey, I too am a fool for Christ. Some of those people who question our emotional status (smiles, laughter, etc) may one day question their own.