Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
(Psalm 15:1, NLT)

When I was a little girl, I used to ask a family  member why he never attended church with us.  “I got mine when I was a kid,” he replied.  Later in life, when I committed my life to the Lord and made the choice to become a follower of Jesus, I asked again, if he would come to church.  He made a comment about lightning striking if he ever went.  I thought it interesting that he went, albeit a bit grudgingly, to attend weddings and funerals, but never to worship.  Lightning never struck him then, and it stood to reason it would not strike if he came to worship.  Somewhere along the way, he decided he was either not good enough or worship was not important enough.

I found it sad.  He did not understand.

The Psalmist asks, “who may worship?”  Who indeed.

Many come seeking and they are never turned away.
In Matthew, the writer recounts the journey of foreign Wiseman who came to worship the Christ child. (Matthew 2:11) They were not turned away.
The disciples followed Jesus, and worshipped him, proclaiming him to be the Son of God. (Matthew 14:33)  They were not turned away.
A gentile woman, seeking healing for her daughter, came and worshipped Jesus. (Matthew  15:25)  Neither was she turned away.
At Jesus’ crucifixion, a Roman officer realized Jesus was innocent and worshipped God. (Luke 23:47) He was not turned away.
The morning of Jesus’ resurrection, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary ran to Jesus and worshipped him. (Matthew 28:9) They were not turned away.

And seeking, those coming to worship the Lord find great joy.
Upon the ascension of Jesus, the followers of Jesus worshipped him and were filled with great joy.  (Luke 24:52)
Back in Jerusalem, followers of the resurrected Jesus, worshiped together at the Temple, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. (Acts 2:46)

Even creation, the heavens, and the nations are called to worship.
The whole earth is called to shout to the Lord, break out in praise, and sing for joy.
(Psalm 98:4)
The sea and everything in it shout the Lord’s praise. The fields and their crops burst out with joy. (1 Chronicles 16:32)
Heaven gives praise for the Lords’ great wonders. Multitudes of angels praise him for his faithfulness. (Psalm 89:5)
All the nations the Lord has made will come and bow before him; they will praise his holy name. (Psalm 86:9)

Do not doubt, dear one. You are called to worship in the Lord’s sanctuary. You may enter his presence on his holy hill.
So come, worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. (Psalm 100:2, NLT)
Come, worship and bow down. Kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God.
If only you would listen to his voice today! (Psalm 95:6&7b)

Heavenly Father, may we hear your call today and respond by coming to worship. May we praise you for who you are and all you have done. May we not ever think we have worshipped enough, or that we will ever be turned away. Instead, may we understand, may we come, and may we worship.

Grace & Peace