I mentioned in yesterday’s devotion that I attended a class at Christian Faith Center (CFC) Nampa. I want to be involved in ministry when Middleton launches in the fall and the class was required.

Arriving a bit early, I could hear the music signaling the end of the service. As I waited to sign in for the class, I had the wonderful opportunity to see the doors open and people flooding out of the sanctuary.

What a sight! The first group I saw looked as if they’d be more at home in a biker bar. Right behind them was a young man and woman. She was carrying a tiny baby in a carrier.  Behind them was an older couple decked out in Sunday best. Everyone was wearing a smile.

I thought about the Phil Wickham song “Joy in the House of the LORD.” I have been trying to learn the lyrics and thought how one of the verses described what I saw. “We were the beggars. Now we’re royalty. We were the prisoners. Now we’re running free. We are forgiven, accepted. Redeemed by His grace. Let the house of the Lord sing praise.”

Those words do not just apply to the ones looking like they are refugees from rough and tumble biker bars. They apply to the young men and women beginning their walk with God and to the older couples who have walked with God for decades.

We all were beggars having nothing to offer God for our sins. We all were prisoners of our old sin nature, guilt, and shame. We all needed to be forgiven, accepted, and redeemed by His grace.

Now we are all singing our joy in the house of the LORD–together. Amen!