Come Down, Lord!

Today I heard a reformed church elder argue from John Calvin for submission to the magistrate's current restrictions on worship.  Though he was not quoted, we were exhorted to read from Book IV.     Ironically, the following is taken from Book IV of the Institutes: Bold emphases are mine. "But in that obedience which we hold to be due to the commands of rulers, we must always make the exception , nay, must be particularly careful that it is not incompatible with obedience to Him to whose will the wishes of all kings should be subject, to whose majesty their sceptres must bow. And, indeed,  how preposterous were it, in pleasing men, to incur the offence of Him for whose sake you obey men !    The Lord, therefore, is King of kings. When he opens his sacred mouth, he alone is to be heard, instead of all and above all. We are subject to the men who rule over us, but subject only in the Lord .  If they command anything against Him let us not pay the...

  "Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion."   Yes, indeed it does. Praise waits for Him.  The Lord's Day is coming!  And oh how eagerly we anticipate the opportunity to gather with the saints and to lift up your voices in praise, in wonder, in thanksgiving, in love and joyful song.  Is He not worthy? What is the cry of every child of God?  What is our answer? Yes!   With   all   our hearts, with   all   our being,   yes !! He is worthy . Did He bleed for us? Did He suffer for us?  Ah, more than that, was this for   me ??  That I  - worm as I am - might appear with Him in glory??  And shall I not sing? Shall I not join with the angels and saints in their songs to Him who was slain?   What a question! There is no need to deliberate, no need to consult with kings and kingdoms. No , we know what our King deserves.  And we love Him.  Oh, He is our beloved.  He is that Friend ...