Question:
What is the point of being gathered to the Lord’s Name?
Answer:
Sometimes we can get lost in the morass of searching for the truth in regard to the subject of gathering and wonder whether it is really worth it. We might be tempted to throw up our hands in frustration and say, “What is the point of it all anyway!” We realize that it can be frustrating, but there is a good answer for this too.
I am indebted to brother David Graham for this answer. He said that it’s really three-fold:
Firstly, God desires that there would be a testimony to the name of Christ in this world. It is His will that Christians would meet together for worship and ministry around the Person of His Son.
Secondly, the Lord Jesus delights in having His own gathered around Himself to enjoy their company. Psalm 50:55Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. (Psalm 50:5) indicates this in principle, even though it is referring to Jewish believers in a coming day; it says, “Gather my saints together unto Me.”
Thirdly, the Lord wants His people to have the special joy of being where He is in the midst; it is a privilege to be there. In experiencing it, we will, like Peter, say, “Lord, it is good for us to be here” (Matt. 17:44Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (Matthew 17:4)).
These things ought to be enough for us to want to seek the place of His appointment and to be found there in His presence. It is the will of God.