The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 122:1-9, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.'”

2 Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem,

3 Jerusalem, that is built as a city that is compact together;

4 To which the tribes go up, even the tribes of the LORD– an ordinance for Israel– to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 For there thrones were set for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.”

7 “May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.”

8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’

9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.”

The word “glad” is mentioned in Scripture 146 times, 25 of which are in the New Testament. It’s the Hebrew word samach, which means “rejoice!” It’s a word that appears numerous times in the Scriptures! It’s interesting, too, that the word also means “fruitful.” It is an expression that often links the Jews and Gentiles in a religious bond.

Physically going to church originated with the Jewish people. David was always glad when it was time to worship the LORD. I wish we could say the same for Jews and “Christians” today. Oh, there are quite a number who attend worship on the LORD’s Day. But I often wonder whether people are there to truly worship the LORD—or just attend?

There will come a day when Jesus will return. Were He to return this LORD’s Day, would He find us truly “worshipping Him?” Or would He only find us physically in a building that was ostensibly constructed for worship?

Pray earnestly for your pastor. Pray for all pastors, who hold to the truths of Scripture. One day the LORD Jesus will return! Not every believer will be able to be physically “in church” at that particular time. But, when our hearts are tuned to Him, His Church (all true believers) will be ready to answer His call.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom