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Reverence for the House of God, October 9
Reverence in My Life
Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the
Lord.
Leviticus 19:30
God is high and holy; and to the humble, believing soul, His house
on earth, the place where His people meet for worship, is as the gate of
heaven. The song of praise, the words spoken by Christ’s ministers, are
God’s appointed agencies to prepare a people for the church above, for
that loftier worship.
When the worshipers enter the place of meeting, they should do
so with decorum, passing quietly to their seats.... Common talking,
whispering, and laughing should not be permitted in the house of worship,
either before or after the service. Ardent, active piety should characterize
the worshipers.
If some have to wait a few minutes before the meeting begins, let
them maintain a true spirit of devotion by silent meditation, keeping the
heart uplifted to God in prayer that the service may be of special benefit
to their own hearts and lead to the conviction and conversion of other
souls. They should remember that heavenly messengers are in the house.
We all lose much sweet communion with God by our restlessness, by
not encouraging moments of reflection and prayer....
Elevate the standard of Christianity in the minds of your children;
help them to weave Jesus into their experience; teach them to have the
highest reverence for the house of God and to understand that when they
enter the Lord’s house it should be with hearts that are softened and
subdued by such thoughts as these: “God is here; this is His house. I
must have pure thoughts and holiest motives.... This is the place where
God meets with and blesses His people.” ...
Parents should not only teach, but command, their children to enter
the sanctuary with sobriety and reverence.
Practice reverence until it becomes a part of yourself.
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