Chapter 68—Center of Worship
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy
loving-kindness and for thy truth.
Psalm 138:2
.
The bright and cheerful side of our religion will be represented by all
who are daily consecrated to God.... While we review, not the dark chapters
in our experience, but the manifestations of God’s great mercy and unfailing
love, we shall praise far more than complain. We shall talk of the loving
faithfulness of God as the true, tender, compassionate shepherd of His flock,
which He has declared that none shall pluck out of His hand. The language
of the heart will not be selfish murmuring and repining. Praise, like clear-
flowing streams, will come from God’s truly believing ones....
The temple of God is opened in heaven, and the threshold is flushed with
the glory of God which is for every church that will love God and keep His
commandments. We need to study, to meditate, and to pray. Then we shall
have spiritual eyesight to discern the inner courts of the celestial temple.
We shall catch the themes of song and thanksgiving of the heavenly choir
round about the throne. When Zion shall arise and shine, her light will be
most penetrating, and precious songs of praise and thanksgiving will be
heard in the assemblies of the saints. Murmuring and complaining over little
disappointments and difficulties will cease.... We shall see our Advocate
offering up the incense of His own merits in our behalf....
God teaches that we should assemble in His house to cultivate the
attributes of perfect love. This will fit the dwellers of earth for the mansions
that Christ has gone to prepare for all who love Him. There they will
assemble in the sanctuary from Sabbath to Sabbath, from one new moon to
another, to unite in loftiest strains of song, in praise and thanksgiving to Him
who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.
Our God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, declares: “Whoso
offereth praise glorifieth me” (
Psalm 50:23
). All heaven unite in praising
God. Let us learn the song of the angels now, that we may sing it when we
join their shining ranks. Let us say with the psalmist: “While I live will I
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