======================================================================== THE HOME-BIRD by John Henry Jowett ======================================================================== Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a deep, intimate relationship with God, rather than just paying Him courtesy-calls. Topics: "Intimacy With God", "Divine Protection" Scripture References: Psalm 27:5, Psalm 36:7, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 91:1, Psalm 121:5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ John Henry Jowett emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the secret place of the Almighty, contrasting those who merely pay courtesy-calls to God with those who have a deep, intimate relationship with Him. He illustrates the difference between a flirtatious visitor and a settled friend who finds satisfaction in a close bond with God. The reward of abiding under the shadow of the Almighty is highlighted, where the soul is continually protected and surrounded by God's grace and love. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PSALM xci. 1-12. I read a sentence the other day in which a very powerful modern writer describes a certain woman as "having God on her visiting list." We may recoil from the phrase, but it very vitally describes a very awful commonplace. Countless thousands have God on their visiting lists. They pay Him courtesy-calls, and between the calls He is forgotten. Perhaps the call is paid once a week in the social function of worship. Perhaps it is paid more rarely, like calls between comparative strangers. How great the contrast between a caller and one who dwells in the secret place! It is the difference between a flirt and a "home-bird," between one who flits about on a score of fancies, and one who settles down in the solid satisfaction of a supreme affection. "_Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty._" Such is the reward of the "home-bird," the settled friend of the Lord. The shadow of the Lord shall rest upon him continually. I sometimes read of our monarchs being "shadowed" by protective police. In an infinitely more real and intimate sense the soul that dwells in "the secret place" is shadowed by the sleepless grace and love of God. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-henry-jowett/the-home-bird/ ========================================================================