Today, England enters into a four week lockdown due to Covid-19. Among many other restrictions, places of worship have been ordered to close except for private prayer. Today’s devotional wasn’t chosen because of lockdown, but is the next one in the list I planned back in September.
The verse tells us: “…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Right now, according to the new law in England, we can’t meet together as a fellowship until 6 December. So, how does this verse help us?
First, it reminds us of the priority of being together as God’s people to worship Him. Although we can’t do it now, will we make it a priority when these restrictions are lifted?
Second, it shows us the purpose of being together – to be “encouraging one another”. This is something that we can do even when we can’t meet face to face. We can still fellowship through telephone and text. We surely must do it; we need to build each other up.
Third, it shows us pleasure of being together – “the Day [is] approaching.” Time together is a taste of glory when all His people will be together before His throne in worship and enjoyment. Our experience in heaven is not going to just be individual but it is going to be corporate [that is, as the group of God’s people together]. Even during lockdown, we can still seek that togetherness and the joy of hearing each other’s voices, reading each other’s words, and standing with each other in prayer.
So, let’s encourage one another during this time and let’s long for and pray for that time when we will be together again.
The best is yet to come 