“and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” - Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV).

One of the most difficult things during the strict Covid 19 lockdown was prohibition of physical meeting. The Apostle Paul may not have imagined a time where churches were locked off premises as a measure to ward off a killer virus. There are many believers who struggled with that and for a number of worthy reasons.

Physical meeting do enable us share concerns with each other, for Paul writes, “Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?” (11 Cor 11:28-29). This is why when believers meet each other in fellowship they, among others, share their prayer needs and pray for each other. “For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Mathew 18:20). Meeting each other also provides an opportunity to share testimonies that inspire others in the Lord’s work. I Chronicles 16:8 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”

Of course, physical meetings can also be distracted by busy bodies who rather than stay focused on the Lord, use such as an opportunity to engage in idle talk. This is why Paul expressed concern for believers in Thessalonica, “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down ..” (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12). Without being on guard so often Satan uses meetings to cause dissension that derail the steady progress of the Lord’s work.

These days of course, with advancement in technology, fellowship may not necessarily be physical as the means are there to communicate still at a distance. There are sensible tools around that allow us meet virtually, which is good. However, there is still room and purpose for meeting physically, which every believer should take advantage of once the opportunity presents itself.

Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and blessing to meet with the brethren, as you enable, to share needs and pray for each other, and may I take advantage of this, in Jesus name I pray.