Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 22
July 16, 1970
NUMBER 10, PAGE 9a

Such A Long Day!

William C. Sexton

Recently on a Monday I visited an aged sister who had been sick the day before and couldn't attend the services of the church. She said, "Oh, yesterday was such a long day. The day seems so long when I can't go to church." This told me something of this person's spiritual heart condition — it is beating strongly. I wish that all of the members of God's family could truly say this and would make such an expression.

Assembling with the saints should be such a regular activity, and one we value so highly, that we do indeed miss being in the assembly. God directs us to be present, (Heb. 10:25). He directs us to be there, because we need the benefits available to us through this medium. We meet with the Lord, (Matt. 18:20). On the Lord's day we commune with Him, and give of our money to "prove the sincerity of your (our) love, I Cor. 10:16; 16:1-2; II Cor. 8:8). In these assemblies we are instructed in His way, and can talk to Him in prayer, and admonish each other in song, (I Cor. 14:14-20; Col. 3:16.17).

Sad is the situation when members of the church are not regular in their attending the assemblies; when such seem to be a burden rather than an edifying and enjoyable experience. "Christians" need to know, I believe, that when they come to the assemblies only occasionally, that they are sick spiritually! When almost any thing will keep them from the assemblies, there certainly is something lacking in their spiritual health. Perhaps the idea needs to be established in our hearts that we are not going to be lost simply because we missed a service, rather for the lack of love which is indicated by such. A man does that which he has his heart set on. Example; a sports fan — try to keep him from being posted on the game; a man who is dedicated to his work — try to keep him from it; a man in love with a woman — try to keep him from her, or from expressing his affections for her. Try to keep the person converted to the Lord from serving him. It can't be done.

Sickening to me is the excuse made by some, "Well, we over slept Sunday morning, .." or "we had company Sunday and couldn't attend. . ." The person who gets up at five or six in the morning to get to work on time, then can't get up in time to be at church services by 9:30 or 10:00 just isn't being realistic. The person who will drive through snow, and fight the traffic, etc. to get to work, then stays home from church services because of "bad weather," is deceiving himself about his religious zeal! Place the interest and concern in the heart and you'll see evidence of life, they'll be at services regularly and very likely on time. But you never see, nor should we expect to see, any action in the dead. One can be "sick nigh unto death," and yet be cured; recover. May we try to cure the sick and resurrect the dead, to a life of usefulness in the Lord, constantly examining our spiritual condition.

I read a statement once to the effect that, "He who wants to do something will find a way, he who doesn't want to will find an excuse." How true this is in every phase of life. Are you so concerned about serving the Lord and being one of His people, that when you are prevented from keeping that appointment, things don't seem right and you feel the lose? If you have this longing, and when you miss the service, it is such a long day, then I say, "May God bless you and your kind; may more of your sort appear." When this affection is in the heart, then there will be fewer such long days to the Lord, and less misery in eternity.

— 2804 Lafayette, St. Joseph, Missouri 64507