Verse 1 of this psalm is very familiar to many older Christians. I remember singing a chorus with these words as a child; “I was glad when they said unto me let us go into the house of the Lord.” Why should we be glad to meet with other Christians for worship? Paul tells us in Hebrews 10: 24-25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” How can we encourage and motivate one another?
The pastor-teacher should be encouraging all members of his church by presenting sermons on God’s love for His children. A friend once confided to me that he enjoyed going to church, but he wasn’t being spiritually fed. His pastor only preached evangelistic sermons to the lost; his pastor was also his brother-in-law so he couldn’t just find another church. The gospel (good news) is so much more than just being saved.
Each member of the church should not discourage other believers. Sometimes as humans we speak before thinking and hurt someone else’s feelings. Some people are very sensitive to verbal comments and one word or expression can cause depression and/or discouragement. That is why James said, “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness (2:19-20). . .though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. And the tongue is a fire.(3:5-6).” (Holman Christian Standard Bible).
As Christians, we also need to encourage ourselves. Timothy seems to have had problems with discouragement and part of this may have come from physical problems. Paul wrote to Timothy, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1: 6-7). Even more importantly, Jesus told His church, “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.” (Rev. 3:19). God has given each of us specific gifts He wants us to use for His Glory.
Finally, every church should have a ministry for members to be involved with. Some churches have a ministry for homeless people. Some have after school programs for children who need help with learning and/or whose parents are working after school get out. And, for the last 20 years or so, churches have been using small groups to evangelize and disciple others. Each church needs to have a purpose to live just like each person needs a purpose for living.