The Republican., 1937-08-19
IMPROVED
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAy1
OCHOOL Lesson
By REV. HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST.
Dean of the Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.
g Western Newspaper Union.
Lesson for August 22
THE PLACE OF RELIGION IN
A NATIONS LIFE.

"A 4NEAAAO4N - 1@AA 80
GOLDEN TEXT-Blessed is the nation
whose God is the Lord. Ps. 1912.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Meeting House.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The House of the Lord.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Why a Nation Needs Religion.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Place of Religion in Nations Life.
The nation of Israel was under
the direct government of Coda
theocracy as distinguished from a
monarchy, or a democracy. God
spoke to them through his servant
Moses, but his relationship to the
people was far more intimate than
that of a distant power delivering
laws through representative. God
dwelt in the midst of his people,
and today we consider how he made
provision for a place in which to
meet with them, for holy priest
hood to minister before him, and
made known his personal presence
by manifestation of his glory.
/. A Place to Meet God (Exod.
25:1, 2, 8, 9; 29:43-46).
Every place of worship, whether
the tabernacle in the wilderness, or
a church on a busy city street,
testifies to the fact that man is
indeed "incurably religious" He is
a spiritual being, made by God
for fellowship with himself. He is
never satisfied until he meets God.
The pattern or plan for the taber-
nacle was given by God ". 81,
and was to be followed in every de-
tail. But note that the people were
to make a willing offering of all
that was needed for its construc-
ton. God gives man the glorious
privilege of partnership with him.
Shortsighted and foolish is the man
who grumbles because the church
needs money. A father might just
as well grieve because his children
outgrow their clothing. Thank God
if your church is alive and grow
ing, and be glad for the opportuni-
ty to buy it some "new clothes"
Sacrifcial gifts and faithful build
ing according to Gods plan,
brought to completion a place of
meeting which God sanctified and
accepted.
ii. Priests to Minister to God
wv. 44,45).
Note, first, that they were men
called of God. Those who stand
to minister to him for the people
dare not appoint themselves, or
seek an appointment by men. They
must be "God-called.
They were also sanctified, or or
dained, by God. Only as men act in
true recognition of Gods selection
and setting apart of his chosen
servants does ordination have real
meaning.
Finally, notice that the priests
were "to minister to" God. His
servants are to serve him, and thus
to meet the need of the people for
whom they speak. They are ''put
in trust with the gospel" and there
fore to $50 speak; not as
pleasing men, but God" Il Thess.
2:4). If you have that kind of a
pastor, praise God for him, and
give him your earnest support and
encouragement.
III. The Presence of God (Exod.
29:45, 46; 40:34-38).
He dwelt in the midst of his peo-
pie. Christians also know what it
means to have God with u.s." for
such is the very meaning of the
name "Immanuep' lisa. TIA; Matt.
1928. He it was who as the living
Word became flesh and dwelt
among US" (John 1:14).
For our further instruction and
blessing let us observe that when
God dwelt with his people his glory
"fiIled the tabernacle" ". 34). Is
that true of our churches? Have we
so loved God and so fully yielded
ourselves and our churches to him
that he is free to fill the place with
his glory?
The word "abode" in v. IS is
significant. What blessed peace and
assurance must have come to Is
rael when they knew that God had
come to abide with them. In this
world Of transitory things we need
such an anchor for the soul-God's
abiding presence.
But Gods people must move on.
There are victories to be won, a
promised land to take. So we read
that the cloud arose when they were
to move forward, and when it was
mot taken up, then they journeyed
not until the day that it was taken
up."
The Psalmist tells us that "the
steps of a good man are ordered
by the Lord" Cps. 1929. I believe
it was George Mueller of blessed
memory who inserted three words
-"and the stops" The man, or the
church, or the nation, that trust
God, will have both "steps" and
"stops" ordered by the Lord"