What means more to you? God's house or the houses of worldly amusement? Where do you find more joy? Is it in God's house on the Sabbath and with those who sing God's praises? Or is it where you can watch, and have fellowship with those who watch Sabbath-breaking heroes of this world? And when Christmas arrives, will you be going up to God's house with zeal and enthusiasm? Or will your heart be set on gifts and a sumptuous meal?
David said that he did not sit with dissemblers, that is, with those who are only Christians in name, and that he hates evil doers. They then are not his heroes. He will not sit with wicked men. And then he states: "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth."
Plainly tinsel and decorations, feasting and exchanging of material gifts, did not set David's heart on fire. Instead he taught us to sing:
The habitation of Thy house
Is ever my delight;
The place where dwells Thy glory, Lord,
Is lovely in my sight.
It is true that Solomon built a beautiful temple and that David writes here of a tabernacle which was a large tent with vessels of gold and silver and with beautiful tapestry. But that is not what brought David his joy. He speaks here of God's glory in our versification; and in the Scriptures he writes of God's honor. He had just spoken of God's altar which he encircled and looked at with hope.
Christ and His cross were there in God's house. His blood was there sprinkled on the mercy seat of the ark in the Holy of Holies. And today in His house of prayer we encircle Christ and His cross in the preaching of God's word. There we hear — or surely ought to hear every Sabbath — of Christ and be moved to sing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will."
We ought to honor God, not ignore Him or think of Him occasionally. And Christmas Day should be a day we set aside to honor Him. Honor Him on that day with songs of thanksgiving.
Read: Isaiah 40
Psalter versification: 69:4
Daily Meditations
on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter number 409
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Zechariah 4 ; Zechariah 5:1-11
Revelation 14:1-20
Psalm 142:1-7
Proverbs 30:21-23
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Quote for Reflection:
Belgic Confession, 25, "Of the abolishing of the Ceremonial Law:" "We believe, that the ceremonies and figures of the law ceased at the coming of Christ, and that all the shadows are accomplished; so that the use of them must be abolished amongst Christians; yet the truth and substance of them remain with us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have their completion. In the meantime, we still use the testimonies taken out of the law and the prophets, to confirm us in the doctrine of the gospel, and to regulate our life in all honesty, to the glory of God, according to his will."
Additional Info
- Date: 23-December