292. NEH 10:39. ATTACHMENT TO GOD’S HOUSE
Neh_10:39. Attachment to God’s House
"We will not forsake the house of our God."’97Neh_10:39.
This book contains the history of the Jews after their return from captivity in Babylon Their adversity had proved very salutary to their souls, and they now cheerfully unite in a covenant to serve God, and to walk in his ordinances. Among the various resolutions dictated by their piety, was the one contained in the text. "We will not forsake," &c.
Let us notice,
I. The Object of their Resolution.
"The house of their God." The universe is God’s great house, which he fills with his all-pervading presence. Heaven is his throne, his imperial palace, the habitation of his holiness. His gracious residence of old was in the tabernacle, and the succeeding temples. Under the spiritual economy of the gospel, "Wherever two or three are assembled in Christ’s name," is God’s house, the place of his manifestation. All places of public worship may be styled God’s house,
1. As He is the proprietor and owner of them.
His name is recorded. To him, and for his glory erected. He claims them as his own,
2. As He dwells in them.
"The Lord hath chosen Zion," &c. Here he meets and communes with his people, the place of audience and fellow ship with his spiritual family.
3. Here he manifests his glory.
Makes the place of his feet glorious. The saints here see his beauty, &c. His perfections are magnified. Exhibiting his truth, holiness, goodness, grace, &c.
4. Here he bestows his chiefest blessings.
Illumination, conversion, adoption, sanctification, comfort, joy, peace, and blissful prospects of future glory.
Notice,
II. The Resolution itself.
"We will not forsake" the house of our God. Now this resolution obviously includes,
1. Constant and regular attendance.
As regularly as the workman goes to the house of labor. The merchant, to the house of merchandise. The scholar, to the house of instruction. The hungry, to the house of provisions, &c. It is to make it as our own house. To dwell in it, &c. "Not forsaking," &c.
2. A lively interest in its welfare and prosperity.
We will seek the good of the Lord’s house, &c. Our praises shall hallow it. Our influence support it. Our prayers shall be for it. Our hearts shall be in it, &c. "If I forget thee, Jerusalem," &c.
Notice,
III. The Reasons on which this Resolution may be properly grounded.
It is grounded,
1. On our gracious union with God.
It is the house of "our God." And all connected with God, should be dear and sacred to us. His word. His ordinances. His people. Therefore, his house. It is grounded,
2. On being our clear and imperative duty.
Public worship is of his own appointment. It is enjoined by God, and therefore authoritative and binding. To forsake God’s house, is to forsake his expressly revealed law.
It is grounded,
3. On our public profession.
We are God’s people, and, of course, his house is our home. Our spiritual residence. Our beloved abode. We are the Lord’s, and as such, must appear in his courts.
It is grounded,
4. On the special advantages we shall derive from it.
Desires will be exalted. Soul elevated to God. Mind enlarged. Graces revived. Spirit cheered. The soul enriched with all spiritual blessings in Christ. "A day in God’s courts is better," &c. "They who wait upon God," &c.
It is grounded,
5. On its connection with the celestial world.
The house of God, "is the gate of heaven," &c. The celestial temple is supplied from that beneath. This is preparatory to the other. And here we are nurtured in grace, and thus fitted for eternal glory.
Application
1. Alas! how many professors are indifferent to the welfare of God’s house. Is it not an unfailing indication that the heart is not right with God?
2. Let the subject inspire the sincere friends of Christ to more ardent zeal for the diffusion of the divine glory.
3. How suited is God’s house to every description. The reckless here are warned. The supine aroused. The inquirer directed. The mourner comforted. The faithful established, &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS