Do you remember that in the parable of the Sower some of the seed fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked it? Then the Lord told us that thorns were a picture of the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, and that they sprang up and choked the Word, so it became unfruitful.
How sad if the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches make it impossible for us to care about these things that are a joy to the heart of the Lord. How sad if we are too busy with other things, perhaps business or study or even the Lord's work—to take time to hear from the Lord these things in which He has delighted for so long, and which He has taken the trouble to tell to us.
Every individual saint is called to have fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3). The whole Church, meaning "the called-out ones," is called to the fellowship of God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Cor. 1:9). Do you remember those gracious words of the Lord Jesus in John 14, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him"? Compare also John 14:3; Rev. 21:3; 22:3.
The Lord desires the fellowship of His people now, and He desired it in the days of old also. He desired it so much that He thought of the difficulties that might arise when His people came together to meet Himself, and He provided for these difficulties. We all know that it would be impossible for us to rejoice before the Lord if we were worrying about our cares at home.
When all the men left their homes to go up to meet the Lord, who would protect the homes from the enemy? What about the Philistines who were always ready to come down on the Lord's people? Would it be safe or right to leave their wives and children unprotected to go up to meet the Lord as He desired? The Lord knew all these dangers and difficulties so He gave the special promise, "Neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the Lord thy God thrice in the year." Ex. 34:24.
The God who could think of these things and take special care of His people in those days, will not forget them now in these days. He tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25), and will He not take care of those who hear and obey His Word? They will not lose by it. Is not this a special word to us, for around us we see our neighbors making no difference for the Lord's Day, but going on with their own affairs in business and pleasure as if the day were their own? May we not be tempted to follow their example.
But when we know the deep desire of the Lord's heart to have us with Himself and around Himself, may we let nothing hinder us, and we will surely find in eternity that we have not lost by it. The Lord's promise still stands true, "Them that honor Me I will honor." 1 Sam. 2:30. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." That is, put God's things first, "and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt. 6:33.
G.C. Willis