276. PSA 87:2. GOD’S REGARDS FOR THE ASSEMBLIES OF HIS PEOPLE

Psa_87:2. God’s Regards for the Assemblies of His People

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob."’97Psa_87:2.

What is the loveliest scene of human association on earth? An assembly of legislators, who meet to enact good and useful laws for a nation, is interesting. An assembly of philosophers, met to elucidate the operations of nature, or the discoveries of science, is interesting. An assembly of philanthropists, met to contemplate the most efficient means of extirpating human misery, and promoting human happiness, that is still more interesting. But the most interesting assembly on which eye can fall, or with which man can associate, is that of a public congregation met to worship God, and to engage in the hallowed pursuits which are directly connected with eternity. To this our text immediately directs our attention. "For the Lord loveth the gates," &c.

We have,

I. The important Truth implied.

And,

II. A glorious Declaration given.

I. The important Fact implied.

"The Lord loveth the dwellings of Jacob." That is, Jehovah loves the righteous in their personal and domestic capacities.

1. He loves them in their individual character as his people Every believer is a beloved son of God.

"As a Father pitieth," &c. "The Lord taketh pleasure in his people," &c. Observe the titles he gives to them. His engagements on their behalf. His gracious communications. His precious promises. They are ever dear to him. Are engraven on his hands. As the apple of his eye.

2. He loves them in their domestic capacity.

See Psalms 128; Pro_20:7; and Jeremiah 33.

3. He loves them in all their religious services.

He regards their closet devotions, and rewards them openly. He is pleased with them when they read his word, sing his praises, and supplicate his mercy and grace. Oh, it is a pleasant sight, to see the various branches of a family gathered around the social altar, and worshipping the God of all the families of the earth. "Happy is the people that is in such a case," &c.

But notice,

II. The glorious Declaration given.

"He loveth the gates of Zion better, &c. That is, he greatly prefers the public assemblies of his people over all the dwell ings of Jacob. Let us,

1. Notice the evidences of this preference.

Observe,

(1) The special promises given. One of the most ancient promises is, "Wherever my name is recorded," &c. Then, the one given to Solomon, "My eyes, and mine heart shall be there continually." And hear the engagements he made respecting the temple: that in case of war, or famine, or pestilence, if they prayed to him from that place, he would hear from heaven, his dwelling-place, and send them help from his holy hill. Then his promise respecting the second temple was, "The glory of the latter house," &c. Then the New Testament promise of the blessed Redeemer’97"Wherever two or three," &c.

(2) The divine manifestations afforded. Every thing is full of God. But he manifests himself unto his people as he does not unto the world. Thus the tabernacle and temple were filled with the cloud of the divine presence. Hence see those striking passages penned by the devout Psa.ist, Psa_63:1 : and, again, Psa_27:3 "How amiable," &c. Psa_84:1. John beheld the divine manifestation, Rev_1:12 Oh, yes; in his house he reveals his truth, and faithfulness and goodness, and grace, &c.

(3) The invaluable blessings communicated. Here he says to benighted chaotic minds, "Let there be light," &c. Here he speaks to heavy-laden, sinsick souls, "Go in peace, thy sins are forgiven thee." Here he meets with his disciples, and breathes upon them, and says, "Peace be with you," &c. Here his needy and dependent children receive out of his exhaustless fulness, grace for grace. Here he imparts the sanctifying influence of the Holy Ghost, and makes his saints meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.

(4) By perpetuating the public assemblies of his saints despite of all opposition. It must be remembered that all persecution has ever been directed against the public part of religion. None ever suffered because they had piety in the heart. And I doubt if many have suffered for having it in their families. No; the powers of earth and hell have ever been directed against its public assemblies. Only think how few and feeble the first churches were. The power of the Roman empire was exhausted to crush them, and yet in vain. There were ten persecutions in succession, and hundreds of thousands were martyred of all classes, of both sexes, and of every age from the child to the gray-headed sire, and yet these assemblies existed’97increased’97enlarged. And how is it? God has been in the midst of her, and she hath not been moved. Like the burning bush, and the vessel on the Galilean lake, yet God has preserved and perpetuated by his providential interpositions and gracious supplies. The purposes of God have stood, and all his adversaries have been confounded. Now, these are some of the evidences of God’s attachment to the gates of Zion.

Let us see,

2. What reasons can be assigned for this affectionate preference.

It is in Zion, or the public assemblies of his saints,

(1) That the graces and holy feelings of God’s people are most fully displayed. In the world certain peculiar graces are to be cultivated. So in the closet. So in the family. But in public worship, there is a demand upon every grace of the Spirit within us. Faith must be exercised from first to last. Hope, expecting; desires longing; affections, burning; gratitude overflowing; humility, prostrated; heart and soul, body and mind, all trusting in God; all glorifying God.

(2) On account of the holy and happy harmony which is exhibited. Sin not only separates from God, but sets man at variance with man. The world full of distinctions, &c. But here all shades of difference are blended, and each particular hue is lost. And we exclaim, "The rich and the poor all meet," &c. "How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell," &c. Here men are brought together, to hear, and love, and pray.

(3) Because it is the pillar and ground of truth. Now, these are apostolic words applied to the church. Here the truth is deposited. Here it is professed. Here revealed, defended, &c. Here is the Lord’s consecrated host, who are resolved with Christ to live and die.

(4) Because of its resemblance to heaven. In heaven is the congregated assembly of the saints; Persons of all classes; persons from all parts; all met for the same purpose’97to worship God and the Lamb; to enjoy his smiles; sit down at his banquet, &c.

"Lord, how delightful ’tis to see,

A whole assembly worship thee," &c.

Application

1. Do we love the gates of Zion? What evidences do we give? Speak for it; think of it; pray for it; labor for it.

2. What advantages have we derived from it? Justification, comfort, holiness longing for heaven.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS