5: En-hakkore
Dear Friends,
After many unsuccessful attempts to have family worship on a regular basis, God helped us to make this a regular part of our home life. One of the concerns I harbored, as the initiator of our devotion time, was that it would be a drain on my personal energy reserve. With all of the responsibilities I already carried I was afraid I wouldn’t have the energy to carry through on another item to add to my daily calendar.
I was in for a wonderful surprise. When we began to meet regularly I found an unexpected and unlooked for spring of living water. I did not prepare anything special for our morning times, I simply called the family together, we prayed, and then read a chapter of scripture aloud. We would go around the room (when they were able to read) and each would read 3 verses aloud. This took on average about 8-10 minutes per chapter. If we had time, we would then each share what we noticed in the reading that day, which took another few minutes. Then if we were real ambitious, we sang a hymn for 4-5 minutes, and closed in prayer.
Each day I learned something new and received new insights into God’s word. Instead of a drain it became a spring of living water. Perhaps this is what Samson experienced in Judges 15. After fighting the Philistines with the jawbone of an ass, 18 he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised? 19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name there of En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.
I would like to suggest two reasons for the refreshment I felt in my spirit whenever we met in our home. The primary reason is that God was there, by His Spirit. And he is a wonderful teacher. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
And the second is that we were “we”. Reading the word in private, which I wholeheartedly endorse, is not the same as reading it with other believers. We comprehend or apprehend with “all the saints”. Ephesians 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the
love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
My final exhortation has been popularized by Nike “ Just Do It!” Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it Draw near to God and He WILL draw near to you.
God bless you each in seeking Him, for you will find Him,
Steve
If you would like to hear a talk on this subject, click here.