Divine Service
W. Birch. 2 Chronicles 29:11 My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that you should minister to him… I. Some persons may ask, "WHY SHOULD WE SERVE GOD? He doesn't seem as if He troubled about us?" We admit that so far as outward appearances go, it seems as if this great universe was something like a well-regulated machine with God as the invisible engineer. When a human being, man, woman, or child, goes against the laws of this great machine, God does not stop it, as a human mechanic would his engine. The Christian believer sometimes wonders why God does not in some critical emergency interfere; but shall we that are but as the creatures of a day express any doubt of the wisdom of God? II. Permit me to say A FEW WORDS TO THOSE WHO ARE NOW SERVING GOD. 1. Be cheerful in your service. 2. Let your service be pure and unselfish. One man who had been helping in a good work for a few months, with a cry of discontent said, "I shall not come any more because nobody ever thanks me." Does the violet, or the rose, or the sun need thanks for giving forth beauty, and perfume, and light? The beat reward of good service is in the heart of the server. A man who engages in the Divine service from selfish motives is like a fettered bird. The bird could wing itself into the vault of yonder blue sky; but it has a stone tied to its leg. Your selfishness is a stone which fetters your usefulness. 3. Let your service be continual. III. Let me speak TO THOSE WHO HAVE NO HOPE OF EVER BECOMING THE SERVANTS OF GOD. God knows and cares for you. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense. WEB: My sons, don't be negligent now; for Yahweh has chosen you to stand before him, to minister to him, and that you should be his ministers, and burn incense."