Arthur Pink
There are some very important outward ordinances and
means of grace which are plainly implied in the Word of God—but for
the exercise of which we have few, if any, plain and positive precepts;
rather are we left to gather them from the example of holy men and from
various incidental circumstances. An important end is answered by this
arrangement: trial is thereby made of the state of our hearts. It serves to
make evident whether, because an expressed command cannot be brought
requiring its performance, professing Christians will neglect a duty plainly
implied. Thus, more of the real state of our minds is discovered, and it is
made manifest whether we have or have not an ardent love for God and His
service. This holds good both of public and family worship. Nevertheless, It
is not at all difficult to prove the obligation of domestic piety.
Consider first the example of Abraham, the father
of the faithful and the friend of God. It was for his domestic piety that he
received blessing from Jehovah Himself, "For I know him, that he will
command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep
the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment" (Genesis 18:19). The
patriarch is here commended, for instructing his children and servants in
the most important of all duties, "the way of the Lord"—the truth about His
glorious person, His high claims upon us, His requirements from us. Note
well the words "he will command" them; that is, he would use the authority
God had given him as a father and head of his house, to enforce the duties
of family godliness. Abraham also prayed with, as well as
instructed his family—wherever he pitched his tent, there he "built an
altar to the Lord" (Genesis 12:7; 13:4). Now my readers, we may well ask
ourselves, Are we "Abraham's seed" (Galatians 3:29)—if we "do not the works
of Abraham" (John 8:39) and neglect the weighty duty of family worship?
The examples of other holy men are similar to that of
Abraham's. Consider the pious determination of Joshua who declared to
Israel, "As for me and my house—we will serve the Lord" (24:15). Neither the
exalted station which he held, nor the pressing public duties which
developed upon him, were allowed to crowd out his attention to the spiritual
well-being of his family. Again, when David brought back the ark of
God to Jerusalem with joy and thanksgiving, after discharging his public
duties, he "returned home to bless his family" (2 Sam 6:20). In addition to
these eminent examples, we may cite the cases of Job (1:5) and
Daniel (6:10). Limiting ourselves to only one in the New Testament, we
think of the history of Timothy, who was reared in a godly home. Paul
called to remembrance the "sincere faith" which was in him, and added,
"which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother
Eunice." Is there any wonder then that the apostle could say "from a child
you have known the Holy Scriptures" (2 Timothy 3:15)!
"Pour out Your wrath on the heathen that do not
acknowledge You—and on the families that do not call on Your name!" Jeremiah
10:25. We wonder how many of our readers have seriously pondered these
awe-inspiring words! Observe what fearful threatenings are pronounced
against those who disregard family worship! How unspeakably solemn to find
that prayerless families are here coupled with the heathen, who do not
acknowledge the Lord. Yet, that need not surprise us. Why, there are many
heathen families who unite together in worshiping their false gods. And do
not they put thousands of professing Christians to shame?
How loudly should these words speak to us. It is not
enough that we pray as private individuals in our closets; we are required
to honor God in our families as well. Each day, the whole household should
be gathered together to bow before the Lord—to confess their sins, to give
thanks for God's mercies, to seek His help and blessing. Nothing must be
allowed to interfere with this duty: all other domestic arrangements are to
bend to it. The head of the house is the one to lead the devotions—but if he
is absent—or seriously ill—or an unbeliever, then the wife should take his
place. Under no circumstances should family worship be omitted. If we would
enjoy the blessing of God upon our family—then let its members gather
together daily for praise and prayer. "Those who honor Me—I will honor" is
His promise.
An old writer well said, "A family without prayer is like
a house without a roof, open and exposed to all storms." All our domestic
comforts and temporal mercies, issue from the loving-kindness of the Lord.
The best we can do in return, is to gratefully acknowledge together, His
goodness to us as a family. Excuses against the discharge of this sacred
duty—are idle and worthless. Of what avail will it be when we render an
account to God for the stewardship of our families—to say that we had no
time available, working hard from morn until eve? The more pressing are our
temporal duties—the greater our need of seeking spiritual support. Nor may
any Christian plead that he is not qualified for such a work—gifts and
talents are developed by use—and not by neglect.
Family worship should be conducted reverently, earnestly
and simply. It is then, that the little ones will receive their first
impressions and form their initial conceptions of the Lord God. Great care
needs to be taken lest a false idea be given them of the Divine Character,
and for this, the balance must be preserved between dwelling upon His
transcendency and immanency, His holiness and His mercy, His power and His
tenderness, His justice and His grace. Worship should begin with a few words
of prayer invoking God's presence and blessing. A short passage from His
Word should follow, with brief comments thereon. Two or three verses of a
Psalm or hynm may be sung. Close with a prayer of committal into the hands
of God. Though we may not be able to pray eloquently, we should pray
earnestly. Prevailing prayers are usually brief ones. Beware of
wearying the young ones.
The advantages and blessings of family
worship are incalculable.
First, family worship will prevent much sin. It awes the
soul, conveys a sense of God's majesty and authority, sets solemn truths
before the mind, and brings down blessings from God on the home. Personal
piety in the home is a most influential means, under God, of conveying piety
to the little ones. Children are largely creatures of imitation, loving to
copy what they see in others.
"He issued His decree to Jacob; He gave His law to
Israel. He commanded our forefathers to teach them to their children, so the
next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—that they in
turn might teach their children. So that each generation might put their
confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments."
(Psalm 78:5-7).
How much of the dreadful moral and spiritual
conditions of the masses today, may be traced back to the neglect of
their fathers in this duty? How can those who neglect the worship of God in
their families—look for peace and comfort therein? Daily prayer in the home,
is a blessed means of grace for allaying those unhappy passions to which our
common nature is subject.
Finally, family prayer gains for us the presence and
blessing of the Lord. There is a promise of His presence which is peculiarly
applicable to this duty, "Where two or three are gathered together in My
name—I am there among them." Matthew 18:20. Many have found in family
worship, that help and communion with God which they sought for with less
effect in private prayer.