David said it another way. He said, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’” (Psa. 122:1). It was not something he had to do; it was something he was glad to do. If we’re not careful, we can lose our sense of delight and enthusiasm about worshiping God. We can reach the point where we dread its coming instead of rejoicing with what it brings. We owe it to the Lord to give Him the very best of what we have to offer on His day. When it comes to worship, we must be all that we can be.

Be here. There is no way that you can benefit or be benefited if you choose not to come. It amazes me the extent that many will go to find excuses to forsake the assembly. What could be more important than what we’re doing here? And have you ever thought about what would happen should the Lord return on Sunday night or Wednesday night? Where would he find you? We need to be here. But we need to be more than that.

Be prepared. One of my teachers nailed me after class one day. He could tell I wasn’t get much out of it. He asked me, “are you studying?” It ought to impress us that before He ever sent His Son into the world, God used John the Baptist to “prepare the way of the Lord” (Matt. 3:3). Worship is not something that just automatically happens; we must prepare for it. Our hearts and minds must be attuned so that we can better attend to the things of God.

Be reverent. We’re not at a movie theater. We’re not at a football game. We’re in the house of God. We are communing with Him who spoke the world into existence, Who created us from the dust, Who authored the plan of salvation. We must be willing to give Him our utmost respect and admiration. We must show Him reverence and awe in all that we do. He not only commands it. He deserves it.

Be a participant. You may not be the one leading singing. You may be scheduled to say a prayer today or wait on the table or make announcements. Does that mean you have nothing to do? “I will gave thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the company of the upright and in the assembly” (Psa 111:1). Now that’s something everyone can do. More than perfectly-blended singing, more than eloquently led prayers, God wants your heart. All of it. Give it to Him while you worship.

We are not told everything that we will do when we all get to heaven. But one thing is certain—we will worship there. “And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev 5:11-12). I sure don’t want to miss that one.

There have been times I have gone to worship when I didn’t really want to go. But my feeling afterward was always the same. I was glad.