Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 177

2. How are we instructed to worship the Lord?

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; _worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness_." Ps. 29:2.

3. What att.i.tude is indicative of reverence in worship?

"O come, let us worship and _bow down_: let us _kneel_ before the Lord our Maker." Ps. 95:6.

4. Is singing a part of divine worship?

"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise."

"Come before His presence with _singing_." Ps. 100:4, 2.

5. Does the Bible approve of the use of musical instruments in the worship of G.o.d?

"Praise Him with the sound of the _trumpet_: praise Him with the _psaltery_ and _harp_. Praise Him with the _timbrel_ and _dance_ [margin, _pipe_]: praise Him with _stringed instruments_ and _organs_. Praise Him upon the _loud cymbals_: praise Him upon the _high-sounding cymbals_." Ps.

150:3-5. See also Ps. 92:1-3.

6. What is promised to those who wait upon the Lord?

"They that wait upon the Lord shall _renew their strength_; they shall _mount up with wings as eagles_; they shall _run, and not be weary_; and they shall _walk, and not faint_." Isa. 40:31.

7. Is Christ's presence limited to large congregations?

"Where _two or three_ are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20.

8. What were David's feelings concerning public worship?

"I was _glad_ when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." "My soul _longeth_, yea, even _fainteth_ for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh _crieth out_ for the living G.o.d." "_For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand._ I had rather be a _doorkeeper_ in the house of my G.o.d, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Ps.

122:1; 84:2, 10.

9. What admonition has Paul given concerning a.s.sembling for public worship?

"_Not forsaking the a.s.sembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is_; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Heb. 10:25.

10. Does G.o.d take account of the meetings of His people?

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: _and the Lord harkened, and heard it_, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels [margin, special treasure]; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." Mal. 3:16, 17.

11. Is there a blessing in habitual church attendance?

"Blessed are they that _dwell_ in Thy house: they will be still [ever and constantly] praising Thee." "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may _dwell_ in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." Ps. 84:4; 27:4.

12. What caution is given regarding behavior in G.o.d's house?

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of G.o.d, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil." Eccl. 5:1. See 1 Tim. 3:15.

13. What day has G.o.d specially designed for public worship?

"_The seventh day_ is a Sabbath of rest, _an holy convocation_." Lev.

23:3.

14. How has G.o.d commanded us to keep this day?

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it _holy_.... In it thou shalt not do any work." Ex. 20:8-10. See Isa. 58:13, 14.

15. Are offerings an appropriate part of divine worship?

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: _bring an offering_, and come into His courts." "Vow, and pay unto the Lord your G.o.d: let all that be round about Him _bring presents unto Him_ that ought to be feared." Ps.

96:8; 76:11.

16. Will there be public worship in the new creation?

"As the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. _And it shall come to pa.s.s, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me_, saith the Lord." Isa. 66:22, 23.

Rules On Going To Church

1. Go early to church. Not only be punctual, but be in your place before the hour announced for the service to begin.

2. Go in a reverent spirit. On the way remember whither you go.

Avoid lightness of manner and conversation on worldly topics.

3. Before you enter and as you enter the church breathe a silent prayer of invocation for the influence of the Holy Spirit.

4. As you take your place, bow your head reverently in prayer for yourself and for all others who enter the sanctuary.

5. Resolve that you will foster no thought, fix your eyes on no object, utter no word, that will tend to divert your mind from the holy purpose for which you have come into this place.

6. As the minister enters the pulpit, offer an earnest silent prayer in his behalf.

7. In all the service take an active part, as hearer, as worshiper.

8. At the close of the service, after a moment of prayerful silence, greet with cheerfulness and good will all whom you happen to meet, remembering that Christian fellowship is a part of Christian worship.-_Bishop Vincent._

NOTE.-An excellent suggestion is contained in the notice posted at the doorway of many churches: "Whosoever thou art that entereth this church, remember it is the house of G.o.d. Be reverent, be silent, be thoughtful. And leave it not without a prayer to G.o.d, for thyself, for him who ministers, and for those who worship here."

Before Jehovah's awful throne, Ye nations, bow with sacred joy; Know that the Lord is G.o.d alone; He can create, and He destroy.

His sovereign power, without our aid, Made us of clay, and formed us men; And when like wandering sheep we strayed, He brought us to His fold again.

ISAAC WATTS.