Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. For... (Psalm 33:1, 4a) The opening part of the worship services in many Christian congregations includes "a call to worship". Most often this is a passage of scripture like the beginning of Psalm 33. These verses are like invitations that cannot be declined. They call us to worship God and they give us reasons why we ought to do so. This is an important component of Christian faith and spirituality. It is true that worship is multi-faceted and singing "joyfully to the Lord" is only one facet. Yet, this invitation comes to all God's people, even to those who do not feel like it; maybe, especially to those who do not feel like "singing joyfully to the Lord." Jesus tells us that we need to approach God in "spirit and truth". He says that true worshippers of God come this way (John 4:24). This means we need to acknowledge before him that we are currently finding joy difficult. There are so many reasons why joy alludes us: wars and rumours of wars; politicians promising much while delivering lies and deceit; broken families; homelessness; addictions; a loved one dies; Christians dividing the church again. But Psalm 33 is a balm for the distressed soul. It does not tell us to come and sing joyfully because we feel like it. It tells us to come because "the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does" (4). A significant reason why the church gathers to worship the Lord our God is "to remember." Life in this world is difficult. We come battered and bruised to our weekly Christian reunions. Often, we batter and bruise each other. Life causes our faith to weaken, our hope to get dented and our love to dim. By the time Sunday dawns, we are all mixed up, scratched, and confused. Therefore, we gather to remember. We remember who our God is as we recount the things He has done and the promises he has kept. As we remember, our faith is renewed, our hope is varnished, and our love is strengthened. No one is sure of the context in which Psalm 33 was first composed and sung. Verse 20 suggests that Israel may have been in some difficulty. The psalm was used to renew the hope of God's people. There is value for Christians to sing joyfully before the Lord when they are all alone. Yet, worship is naturally a communal activity. Partying alone is, well, lonely. God uses our communal worship to renew those who are dented and banged up. Worshipping God together ought also to renew fellowship. Psalm 33 sings of three things about God:  He is large and in charge, He is everywhere and always here; and He is passionate for those who look to Him in faith. Through worship we renew our faith that God is able to weave all the circumstances of our lives together to create a wonderful tapestry that accomplishes His purposes. We see this most thoroughly in Jesus' life. He was able to endure the cross because of the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). In baptism our lives are wrapped up in His destiny. In worship, we remember. So, people of God, gather and worship our great God together. Whose knows what he has in store for us. As you journey on, go with the blessing of God: May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you. May he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm. May he bring you home rejoicing; at the wonders he has shown you. May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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