Not Forsaking God’s House

Nehemiah 10:9

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.

Four times in the Scriptures, God talks about His house not being forsaken. The remnant promised in the verse above, we will not forsake the house of our God. Hebrews 10:25 commands, Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is…. Nehemiah said Nehemiah 13:11, Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? Finally, the psalmist said in Psalm 122:9, Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. In these verses, we see the importance of the house of God and not forsaking it.

Not to forsake the house of God is clearly a choice and a revelation of one’s heart for God. This house of God that we talk about today is church. Christ started the church and died for it; therefore, church is His house. Not to forsake his house in every service truly shows if your heart is right with God. There are several things we must not forsake in God's house.

First, don't forsake the God of the house of God. I know this sounds trivial, but we don't go to church for ourselves, but we go to church for God. Therefore, let God be your focus instead of your whims, and you will find that God will speak to your heart and help you become a better believer.

Second, don't forsake the respect for the house of God. When you go to church, be respectful of what is going on. Don't talk and move around when you are in church. There ought to be a great reverence of God’s people about what is happening in church. Be respectful to the prayers and reading of God’s Word, and don't walk around during the services. God’s house ought to be so respected that everyone can see our love and admiration for our great God.

Third, don't forsake the excitement for the house of God. In Nehemiah 8:6, the people answered Amen and lifted their hands in agreement to the preaching of God’s Word. There ought to be excitement in God’s house as we hear about Him. Men should not sit idly by and never say Amen, but they should be involved, and if something is truly exciting, there is nothing wrong with raising your Bible and shouting Amen. They did it in the book of Nehemiah, which means you ought to do it in church. It brings excitement that will pass to others when they go to church.

Fourth, don't forsake the preaching that happens in the house of God. I know this sounds strange, but it is amazing how many people leave the auditorium during the preaching of God’s Word. You are supposed to go to church to hear about God in the preaching, so why would you leave during the preaching time? You would not leave in a critical time of a ballgame, so why leave in the most critical time of the service, the preaching time!

Fifth, don't forsake the altar call in the house of God. That altar is where decisions are made. When you go to church, be there for the preaching and respond to the altar call. The altar call is critical to making decisions, and those who refuse to use an altar often refuse to be faithful to what God wants them to do. Make the altar call important, and you will find that God will be important in your life.