The above verses provide us with several reasons why going to church is important. Here they are:

1. “Teach me thy way, O LORD” – When God’s people go to church with a teachable attitude, God can teach them. Many believers are a little off-track on their understanding of the Bible because they have not been under the teaching and preaching of godly teachers and preachers.
2. “I will walk in thy truth” – Part of having a teachable spirit is being willing to do what God reveals in His Word. We must be willing to put it into practice.
3. “Unite my heart to fear thy name” – It is God that must work in us to “will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil 2:13) – and He often does this as we hear His Word taught and preached.
4. “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore” – Hearing God being praised in song or word by other believers is a blessing and a source of encouragement. It is why meeting with other believers strengthens faith and helps them be more single-minded toward Christ.
5. “For great is thy mercy toward me” – Certainly, every knowledgeable believer knows that we not only needed His mercy for salvation, but we also need it every day. Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve. Thank God that He is willing to forgive, cleanse, and strengthen us as we serve Him.
6. “and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” – This is what we really deserve for our sin. But He, in love, reached down, sacrificed His Son – Jesus Christ, and saved those who have repented and believed. Do you love Him for what He has done for you? “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (john 14:15).

Are you thankful for what He has done for you? The local body of believers meets at church today – will you be there? If you cannot be there in the morning, will you go on Sunday night – or Wednesday?

The Bible is not like any other book. It is God’s Book and He alone understands all of it. It reflects His infinite mind and His thoughts are much higher than ours.

Although there are a few people that have read the Bible once and think they understand it all – they don’t – most believers who read it know that there is much more in it to be learned.

David, who wrote many of the Psalms and meditated on the Word daily, knew that God’s Word is infinitely deep. He repeatedly asked God to “teach me thy statutes” and to “give me understanding.” He wanted illumination (enlightening) by the Holy Spirit.

David knew that understanding the Bible meant more than just a grammatical and historical interpretation – although that is a part of it. He wanted God to teach him as he read or he knew that there would be so much of God’s message that would be missed.

When the heart is in tune with God and walking with Him, the Holy Spirit can teach. It is at those times that the believer discovers that the Book offers so much more than what a casual reading can deliver.

When we are still before Him and in His Word – the Book becomes exciting. Those moments encourage further reading and study – and they lead to praise to God and great joy. It is time in the Word when God teaches that motivates the believer and puts a fire in his or her soul to serve God better.

Does your time in the Word do these things in your heart? Does God teach you as you read and study? Or, do some changes need to be made?