THE VALUE OF ASSEMBLING TOGETHER

Faith brings us into a place where the world cannot feed us. In this sense, we are "strangers and pilgrims" in the world. Not only are we no longer citizens of the world, we have received a life that cannot be nourished or sustained by the world order. When those who feed the saints give them concepts of the world, they starve God's people. Those who serve up psychological jargon and numerous little anecdotes are depriving the people of God of nourishment. Such carnal ministers have drawn water from a dry corrupt well, and served up polluted bread.
The people of God must be nourished! They are away from their home, and are dwelling in a hostile and desolate world! This is why God Himself prepares a place of nourishment for them. While there is an occasional table put before us in the presence of their enemies (Psa 23:5), that is not the primary place of feeding!
When the Lord began to unfold precious truth to His disciples, He took them way from the multitudes (Matt 8:25; 14:22; 24:3; Mark 3:7; 6:32; Lk 9:10; 10:23-24). When God communicated with Moses, He took him away from the crowd (Ex 24:1-2). Those who insist on lingering close to the world, refusing to flee into the wilderness, will receive no sustenance from the Lord! This facet of the Kingdom is scarcely known in our time. Countless professed believers linger on the edge of the world, splashing about in carnal waters with glee, as though there were no dangers. Let such hear the word of the King. "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Cor 15:33). The flood of carnality that has swept over many professed church members has occurred because they remained in the place where the world's dangerous waters flow!
Those who denigrate the frequent gathering of the saints, betray a level of spiritual ignorance that is lethal to the soul. The place that has been prepared for the nourishment of the soul is occupied by more than yourself. Of old time, the Lord taught Israel the value of godly assemblies (Ex 3:16; Lev 8:3; Num 8:9; 11:16; 20:8). Although Israel corrupted the feasts, they were intended to be a place of consecration and blessing. During a time of great spiritual deterioration, the prophet Malachi wrote; "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. They shall be Mine, says the LORD of hosts, On the day that I make them My jewels" (Malachi 3:16-17). There is no reason why we cannot be like them.