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Being planted in the Lord’s house

By Ps Alex Ault

God’s highest calling for your life is not to just go to church – but to be planted in Him and the house of God.

Psalm 92 gives us a beautiful reminder of why we are created to be planted in the church… it reads; ‘They will still bear fruit in old age healthy and green.’ I know for myself that I want to live a Christian life with longevity. I want to run the race well and continue to bear vibrant and healthy fruit that brings glory to who He is, no matter my age or phase of life. However, the only way we can achieve this is to be fully dependent on God and rooted in His house, surrounded by fellow believers. God wants to see us thrive, flourish and mature in our faith.

Your heavenly Father does not want a life for you where you are spiritually dry or relationally desolate. But in order for us to learn and prosper, we have to be in a place like God’s house that will feed our spirit and nurture our faith foundations with healthy influence and truth (Psalm 1:3). The only way we can grow is if we are planted. Sometimes we forget that being planted requires work to see transformation in our life. Serving the house and being committed to God’s word comes with also laying down our own agenda at the Cross and prioritising the time in our week to seek Him and His plan for us (Matthew 6:24). Just like your friendships, we cannot expect God to be speaking if we do not make the time to listen and sit with Him. It's saying, “I’m going to put my trust in God and I’m going to remain in Him (John 15:5). I’m going to come on Sunday, I’m going to learn from His people in lifegroups and trust that through this investment and growth, my life and relationship with God will flourish.”

Sometimes we expect to see the progression and shift in our faith happen instantly. We allow offences like church hurt, frustration and bitterness to infest our growth and drive us away from the relational design God has for us. We know we need relationship, yet we make our own excuses as to why we cannot be with God’s people on a Sunday. The enemy knows that when God’s people gather, there is power, transformation and healing.

His house will bring a strengthening and obedience in your faith, a prioritising of His presence and promises in life’s lowest moments. ‘The Lord is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.’ God’s church and its people are our anchor in times of distress and insecurity. We come together to praise Him on a Sunday with gladness, because we have a mutual covenant that our God is a good God who keeps His promises to us. The church is full of living, breathing testimonies of damaged people transformed by God’s Grace.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You that You’ve called us to be planted in Your house. I pray You would remind us of the value of Christian community, help us to create resolves and convictions around our lives that lead us into deeper relationship with You and give us a heart for Your church. Amen