Psalm 63

 Psalm 63 

With the rise of ever-advancing technology, there has been a disturbing rise in ‘virtual’ relationships and connections.  As video began to stream over the internet, churches began to attempt to draw people to ‘watch their services’ online.  This accelerated in response to the Covid pandemic.  Many in the church community laud this as a great benefit to the church.  Certainly there are good uses of internet-available teaching.  But the gathering of worship via individuals connected only by watching is like looking at a video of a campfire; it is only a shallow representation of the real thing.  As Christians, or even emotionally healthy people, we find a digital girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse disturbing.  How can we imagine that a digital worship experience is adequate?

In contrast to this, when David was on the run, he longed for the worship of God, and that longing was rooted in his experience with God in the sanctuary.  In the forms, the sights, the smells, and the total experience of being in God’s presence, David was bound to God spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Shaped by worship, when David was away, he wanted to be in God’s presence.  Day or night, David’s thoughts and heart turned toward God.  If that was true in the time of David, how much more ought it to be true for us in the time when the people of God are His temple?  If worship in the community of faith is absent from our lives, very likely our longing for God will be as well.

“Lord, help me to desire deeply to be with Your people, Your temple. AMEN.”