The Home-Bird
The sermon emphasizes the importance of having a deep, intimate relationship with God, rather than just paying Him courtesy-calls.
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.
Text
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.
Sermon Outline
- The Contrast Between a Caller and a Home-Bird
- The Reward of the Home-Bird
- 'The Caller: Flits About on a Score of Fancies'
- 'The Home-Bird: Settles Down in the Solid Satisfaction of a Supreme Affection'
- Abiding Under the Shadow of the Almighty
- The Shadow of the Lord Shall Rest Upon Him Continually
Key Quotes
“Such is the reward of the home-bird, the settled friend of the Lord.” — John Henry Jowett
“The shadow of the Lord shall rest upon him continually.” — John Henry Jowett
“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.” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- Make an effort to deepen your relationship with God, rather than just going through the motions of worship.
- Recognize the difference between a superficial relationship with God and a deep, intimate one.
- Abide under the shadow of the Almighty by dwelling in the secret place of God's presence.