“When the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.” – Psalm 102:22, NIV

In the King James Version, the verse above reads; “When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.”

The word ‘serve’ is somehow interesting because when we gather for worship, it is called a ‘service.’

That means communal worship is an important form of ‘serving’ God through serving one another.

The historical origins of communal worship reflect the diverse ways in which human beings have sought to connect with God and with each other throughout history.

It all started in the Garden of Eden where God would come down in the evenings for fellowship with Adam and Eve.

Later in the Old Testament, God instituted weekly communal worship in the sanctuary and annual feasts.

These gatherings served not only a religious purpose but also as opportunities for social cohesion and community building.

Indeed, the word ‘synagogue’ comes from the Greek word ‘sunagoge’ (an assembly or place where people assemble).

But unlike the Jews who used to gather on Saturday (the seventh day of the week), Christians in the Early Church always gathered on Sundays for worship, prayer, evangelism, and teaching, sharing meals and singing hymns.

Of course, this practice was a departure from traditional Jewish worship, as it emphasized a new understanding of community and fellowship centered around the teachings of Jesus Christ who resurrected on the first day of the week (Sunday).

I used to think that the day of Sunday began with the New Testament Church.

“Not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”

However, I found out that the Romans instituted ‘Sunday’ (day of the Sun) as part of their system of naming days of the week during the reign of Emperor Augustus, which began in 27 BC.

It wasn’t until AD 321 when Emperor Constantine I issued a decree making Sunday a day of rest (Christian Sabbath) for Roman citizens throughout the Roman Empire. 

That was when Sunday’s association to Christianity became prominent.

Since then, weekly communal worship on Sunday has become an opportunity for billions of Christians worldwide to worship God, reinforce social bonds and foster a sense of belonging and community among people from their diverse backgrounds, regardless of social status, ethnicity or race.

It is an opportunity for peoples and kingdoms to assemble for ‘services’ to the Lord and each other.

In reference to our meditation today, another Bible version says; “people from every nation meet to worship You.”  

The Church today is the perfect fulfilment of the prophecy in Isaiah 2:2-3, which says; “In the last days the mountain of the House of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.  And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.”

Isaiah 56:6-8 adds; “And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the Name of the LORD, and to be His servants….I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

From the Scriptures above, the assembling of God’s people together is the work of God Himself!  So, what is your attitude to fellowship?

Although sometimes assembling for fellowships and services can be costly and a bit of an inconvenience, it’s of God!

Hebrews 10:25 (AMP) admonishes; “Not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”

From today, commit to be a more faithful participant in Christian assemblies, fellowships and any other opportunities for communal worship.