Family Worship # 1

Family Worship # 1

There are some very important outward ordinances and means of grace which are plainly implied in the Word of God - but the exercise of which we have few, if any, plain and positive precepts; rather are we left to gather incidental circumstances. An important end is answered by this arrangement: trial is thereby made of the state of our hearts. It serves to make evident whether, because an expressed command cannot be brought requiring its performance, professing Christians will neglect a duty plainly implied. Thus, more of the real state of our minds is discovered, and it is made manifest whether we have or have not an ardent love for God and His service. This holds good both of public and family worship. Nevertheless, it is not at all difficult to prove the obligation of domestic piety.

Consider first the example of Abraham, the father of the faithful and the friend of God. It was for his domestic piety that he received blessing from Jehovah Himself, "For I know Him, that He will command His children and his household after Him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment" (Genesis 18:19). The patriarch is here commended, for instructing his children and servants in the most important of all duties, "the way of the Lord" - the truth about His glorious person, His high claims upon us, His requirements from us. Note well the words "He will command" them; that is, he would use the authority to enforce the duties of family godliness. Abraham also prayed with, as well as instructed his family - wherever he pitched his tent, there he "built an altar to the Lord" (Genesis 12:7; 13:4). Now my readers, we may well ask ourselves, Are we "Abraham's seed" (Galatians 3:29) - if we "do not the works of Abraham" (John 8:39) and neglect the weighty duty of family worship?

The examples of other holy men are similar to that of Abraham's. Consider the pious determination of Joshua who declared to Israel, "As for me and my house - we will serve the Lord" (24:15). Neither the exalted station which he held, nor the pressing public duties which developed upon him, were allowed to crowd out his attention to the spiritual well-being of his family. Again, when David brought back the ark of God to Jerusalem with joy and thanksgiving, after discharging his public duties, he "returned home to bless his family" (2 Sam. 6:20). In addition to these eminent examples, we may cite the cases of Job (1:5) and Daniel (6:10). Limiting ourselves to only one in the New Testament, we think of the history of Timothy, who was reared in a godly home. Paul called to remembrance the "sincere faith" which was in him, and added, "which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice." Is there any wonder then that the apostle could say "from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures" (2 Timothy 3:15).

"Pour out Your wrath on the heathen that do not acknowledge You - and on the families that do not call on Your name! (Jere. 10:25). We wonder how many of our readers have seriously pondered these awe-inspiring words! Observe what fearful threatenings are pronounced against those who disregard family worship! How unspeakably solemn to find that prayerless families are here coupled with the heathen, who do not acknowledge the Lord. Yet, that need not surprise us. Why, there are many heathen families who unite together in worshiping their false gods. And do not they put thousands of professing Christians to shame?

How loudly should these words speak to us. It is not enough that we pray as private individuals in our closets; we are required to honor God in our families as well. Each day, the whole household should be gathered together to bow before the Lord - to confess their sins, to give thanks for God's mercies, to seek His help and blessing. Nothing must be allowed to interfere with this duty: all other domestic arrangements are to bend to it. The head of the house is the one to lead the devotions - but if he is absent, or an unbeliever, then the wife should take his place. Under no circumstances should family worship be omitted. If we would enjoy the blessing of God upon our family - then let its members gather together daily for praise and prayer. "Those who honor Me - I will honor" is His promise.

An old writer well said, "A family without prayer is like a house without a roof, open and exposed to all storms." All our domestic comforts and temporal mercies, issue from the loving-kindness of the Lord. The best we can do in return, is to gratefully acknowledge together, His goodness to us as a family. Excuses against the discharge of this sacred duty - are idle and worthless. Of what avail will it be when we render an account to God for the stewardship of our families - to say that we had no time available, working hard from morn until eve? The more pressing are our temporal duties - the greater our need of seeking spiritual support. Nor may any Christian plead that he is not qualified for such a work - gifts and talents are developed by use - and not by neglect.

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)