We will not forsake the house of our God

Nehemiah 10:39

For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

When Nehemiah came back to Jerusalem to build the wall, he was not only coming back to restore the city. He came back to restore the house of God. That was the priority! That was of utmost and greatest importance! He wanted to reinstate the priests and the Levites, who ministered in the sanctuary. He wanted them to be back in their courses, fulfilling the ordinances of the law, and caring for the house of the Lord. Nehemiah knew that if the house of God was not taken care of, neither would anything else be. What good is it if the nation is in working order but there is no house of God? There is no nation then! The nation will soon be in disarray and destruction! The nation that cares for its infrastructure and government and gives no place to God shall soon be overturned. Does not the Lord say that all the nations that forget God shall be turned into hell? Yes, my friends, we can forget a lot of things, but we must never forsake the house of our God!

The house of our God! Nehemiah and the people of Israel said they would not forsake it! They would give attention to it! They would bring their tithes and their offerings. A nation who is tithing its increase to the Lord is guaranteed God’s blessing. But let us reduce this down to a personal level. Do you want God’s blessing? Do you want to know that your priorities have been properly settled? Well then, take care of God’s house. Give to the Lord! Bring your tithes and offerings to Him! Not out of necessity, but from a cheerful heart, for God loveth a cheerful giver. But, you see, the main principle here is a principle of priority. Do not take care of finances, and family concerns, and everything that is important, while forgetting that which is most important. The Lord must have His rightful place.

Dear friends, let us not forget or forsake the sanctuary—the place where God meets with us, and we meet with Him. It is the place that is closest to Heaven on earth. It is that place where we come nearest to the Lord, while leaving off distractions and encumbrances. We come to Him, dedicate ourselves, consecrate and sanctify ourselves, and worship Him. It is indispensable! It is crucial for the Christian! This is why we are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. This is the manner of some, but it must not be our manner! Always remember, the Lord’s house is more important than our house. If you take care of that, all else will certainly be in good running order.

“Father in Heaven, we praise You for all that You have given us—the blessings of the home, the field, the bank account, and everything else. But we beseech Thee that we may never forget that which is primary. The house of God must be our chief joy. It must be the place where we come and worship our Lord with joyful and loving hearts. May this nation not forget You, and may we never forget You, but keep Your house and Your ways of first importance in our lives. And we shall praise You for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”