EXCUSES, EXCUSES

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)

At times, we all make excuses for not attending church. We have headaches, a runny nose, family problems, a golf tournament, the kids are playing an important soccer match, and we may go on and on. There are more excuses than I can bring to mind. Most of the time, however, it is simply laziness or failing to put our priorities in order. I know this because I do it too.

Many complain that when they do attend church, they cannot listen to a 45 minute sermon. They arrive late and if the service is one minute too long they get up and leave because they do not want to wait in line at the restaurant! Obviously, when our attitudes are like this, we have not come to worship God because our hearts and minds are not prepared to glorify God or listen to His Word.

Our worship of God is to be given with gladness of heart. Does your attitude in church reflect the love of God? The Christian believer does not dread meeting with his fellow Christians. He arrives early with a robust anticipation of worshiping God. He is eager to discuss the mysteries of God with his fellow worshippers. How sad it is that this is not the expectation in many churches in our time.

Any minister would be encouraged to see that his congregation has brought their Bibles and are ready to hear the Word of God. The minister’s duty is to preach in the power of the Holy Spirit. His flock needs a shepherd to lead them in the way of Christ. How blessed any shepherd of Christ’s flock must feel when he hears his congregation sing praises to God with sincere enthusiasm.

When there is an opportunity to hear the Word of God, we should seek hard to take advantage of it. We must not allow such opportunities to be our lost. Even when our excuses are for a good cause, we may miss something that would have been very precious to our souls. There are spiritual riches to be obtained when we join the assembly of our Lord. We always risk the loss of some measure of blessing and comfort when we fail to take part in the Lord’s assembly. Let us not neglect the fellowship of the saints. Let us not neglect the word of grace in song, prayer, or sermon; and forgive us, O Lord, when we fail to reflect Your Holiness.