Isaiah 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer… I. THERE SHOULD, BE A NATURAL ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE TWO. I reach this conclusion by remembering two things. 1. That we, as human beings, have in us the capacity for joy. 2. That the religion we profess, when rightly understood, is a joy-producing religion. II. WORSHIP IS THE EXPRESSION OF OUR NOBLEST RELIGIOUS FEELINGS IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD. It is not a mere ceremonial act, an observance of prescribed ritual on certain days and in appointed places. It is the going forth of the man towards God. Therefore, our joy must utter itself, ought to utter itself, when we enter into the courts of His house. I believe that the Divine Father has no sympathy with those who would turn His house of prayer into a place for gloomy, and unhappy thoughts, and who would exclude from His service everything pleasant and beautiful. They misunderstand and libel Him by their desire for dreariness If God has taught us anything with distinctness in the outer world of nature it is that He loves all that is pleasant and sweet and joyous. Is there n t something joy-exciting in the very thought and act of worship? This has been the thought of most peoples. 1. The Greeks who worshipped gods of uncertain passions and dispositions, nevertheless seem to have made the worship a season of joy — "they wreathed themselves with flowers, they anointed themselves with sweet perfumes, they surrounded their temples with every attraction, they invoked every pleasure they could think of, they sought to make the hour of their worship a charming and beautiful hour. Their joy in this respect was of a sensuous character, more animal than spiritual, and we do not need to imitate them; but even the heathen had the idea of indulging in gladness in the presence of their gods. 2. The same emotion was constantly expressed by the Hebrews. We often regard the religion of the Jews as harsh, stern, dreary, a constant pressure upon the minds and souls of the people. Never was there a greater mistake, as a careful study of their numerous festivals and rites would prove. Remember the worship-literature of the Jews, that magnificent collection of psalms which is one of the most precious treasures handed down to us from the past. It is full of jubilance. Expressions of personal sorrow there are in abundance; but even they are turned into subjects of song. 3. If it was possible for Jews to enjoy worship, if it was natural for them to give expression to gladness of heart when coming into the Divine presence, is there not more abundant reason why we, as Christians, possessing a fuller and purer and more intimate revelation of God, should rejoice before Him? III. FOR THOSE WHO SEEK TO WORSHIP GOD IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH THIS JOY IS ASSURED BY THE PROMISE, "I will make them joyful in My house of prayer." Our anticipation of the worship of God's house, and the manner in which we present ourselves to Him, should be gladsome. Why? Because we go expecting to meet God, and receive the gracious fulfilment of the promise. Our hope of blessing to come already fills us with delight. When we have entered into the engagements of Divine worship, if we have been in the right spirit of desire, God has drawn near us and fulfilled our largest hopes. He has apparently devised the means by which this shall be brought about through the three exercises of our worship — our praise, our prayer, and our study of His truth. These seem in themselves calculated, ordained, consecrated for the very object of exciting our joy. 1. Think of the very act of praise. What does it mean? That we are recalling to mind the Divine mercy, and tenderness, and compassion, and love which have come into our life. We praise God for what He is; for what His works reveal Him to be; for what He has done for us; and you cannot do that without some inspiration of gladness filling your soul. Praise itself springs from and excites to joy. 2. The same glorious result is wrought by means of prayer. That man who has never yet held conscious communion with his God in prayer, has never yet experienced one of the noblest and purest joys of which his nature is capable. 3. And shall I add the same of the other exercise — the study of His truth? As the man who, digging for gold, is flushed with delight when his toil is rewarded by some rich nugget; as the student of Nature, when investigating her secrets, is gladdened as he perceives the traces of some new law, or a possible combination of well-known causes that will produce a new result, so Christians know the thrill of satisfaction that springs from a fresh realization of the meaning of Divine truth. God stands revealed in clearer light, and all the wonders of His work for man through the history of the world, and especially in the person of Christ, are understood and loved as they were never understood or loved before. These awakenings to joy are always taking place in God's house. One comes there perplexed concerning his path of duty, and to him there is uttered some wise precept, which makes the way clear once more. Another is troubled concerning the terrible mystery of life, its inequalities and sorrows; but to him is revealed the Fatherhood of God, and that means perfect love and assurance of blessedness for man as the ultimate issue of all things. Does not that oppressed soul rejoice? And how many, conscious of unforgiven sin, venture into the holy place. And they see a vision of Calvary with its sacred Victim; the heavens seem to open for them, and they behold the ascended Christ, the Mediator. Who shall measure the joy of these? (W. Braden.) Parallel Verses KJV: Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. |
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