A Warning Example for Us All.

"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I 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 enquire in His Temple." Psalms 27:4

Thomas was one of the Twelve. He had joined the Church of Christ and promised to be true to Him. But for some reason or other he was not present in the congregation of believers the Sunday morning when the risen Savior appeared.

A great many fare similarly to Thomas. They promise to be true to the Church of Christ, and still Sundays will find them every place but in church, in the house of God. Therefore they do not receive the benefit of the preaching of the Word, the prayers, the hymns, and the fellowship of the believers. Therefore they neglect the Lord’s Supper. And being away from the place where the sacred means of grace are administered, in which Christ comes to us, they begin to doubt. And from doubt they may be led to absolute unbelief, shipwreck of their faith, and be eter­ nally lost.

Christ rebuked His disciple for his faithlessness and doubts. He rebuked him kindly, but nevertheless severely. Let Thomas be a warning example for us all. Let us beware of doubt and faith­ lessness. Let us be loyal to our Church. Let our pew never be vacant except in cases of absolute necessity. If we desire at all to be saved, then let us not forsake public worship. You need the Church! It is God’s own invitation for the salvation of souls.

Thomas missed the loving greeting of Christ, “ Peace be with you.” Have we not this same Word as well as Thomas? Do you not hear the same Gospel of peace? And is not Christ always present in our midst? Has it not now and then happened that you heard a word which you could not forget, but which has come to you afterwards time and again and moved you to many a God- pleasing deed ? And if you have had such experience, you will not say that it makes no difference if you stay at home once instead of going to church.

Prayer.

O Thou Triune God, remit all punishments, though well de­ served by me, for former sins and continue to bless me and mine with all spiritual and temporal blessings and with earthly and heavenly gifts. Let Thy grace rise anew over us every morning and do good unto all that seek refuge with Thee and wait upon Thy goodness. Awaken in us all a heartfelt desire for Thy grace. Grant that our highest pleasure and delight may ever center in Thy Word. May nothing be dearer to us in this world than Thy Word, to the praise and gloTy of Thy most holy and exalted name. Amen.