The Christian's Desire for God's House (1)

Christians have a constant desire to dwell in the house of God.
(1) The reason is, because the soul in this world is never fully satisfied with the good things of God's house until it be in heaven. This life is a life of desires and longing; the church is but engaged to Christ in this world; the marriage will be consummated in another world. Therefore, the church desires still further and further communion with Christ in his ordinances here, and forever in heaven.
(2) There are remainders of the corruption within that deaden and dull our performances and put us on to actions that grieve our spirits and the Spirit of God. We desire to dwell in the house of the Lord, because here there is corruption in us, until grace has wrought it out fully.
(3) There is more and more to be had in the house of God. We never come to be full. The soul has a wondrous capacity, being a spiritual essence. It is capable of more grace and comfort than we can have in this world. 'God gave gifts to men' (Eph. 4:11), to preach and to edify the church more and more. So long as there is need for more and more building in the believer there will be the need of the ministry. The Christian desires to 'dwell in the house of the Lord' (Psa. 27:4), for there he can and will grow.
(4) The special reason why he desires to be in God's house is because he knows God is present there, and there is no good thing lacking where God is present. It is the presence of God that makes all things sweet and comfortable. What makes heaven to be heaven? The fact that God is there? If the soul of a Christian were among angels, angelical comforts would not be desired, if God were not there. If there were all the delights in the world, the soul would not care for them, except God were present. Heaven would not be heaven without the presence of God.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Breathing after God, Works, vol. 2, p. 228
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