93. Sacred Memories.

Let Jerusalem come into your mind.. - Jeremiah 51:50.

THE captives in Babylon are charged to remember Jerusalem,—

· Because the temple of their God was there;

· To keep them from settling down in Babylon;

· To make them long for the holy city; and

· To keep them prepared to return to it.

There are equally good reasons for our remembering the New Jerusalem.

We are too apt to forget our spiritual citizenship, and hence we will meditate on our text under two aspects.

I. THERE IS A JERUSALEM HERE BELOW WHICH SHOULD COME INTO OUR MIND.

The church of the living God is our holy city, the city of the Great King, and we should have it in mind,—

1. To unite with its citizens. We should join with them in open profession of faith in Christ, in Christian love and mutual help, in holy service, worship, communion, etc.

2. To pray for its prosperity. Whenever it is well with us in prayer, we should let the cause of God be on our mind. Our window, like that of Daniel, should be opened towards Jerusalem.

3. To labor for its,advancement. We should remember it in the allotment of our money, the use of our time, the employment of our talents, the exercise of our influence, etc.

4. To prefer its privileges above earthly gain. We ought to consider these privileges in our choice of our residence, occupation, etc. With many professors this is a very small matter.

5. To act consistently with her holy character. We must not dishonor the place of our citizenship. God's people must not degrade his name and cause by living in sin.

6. To lament its declensions and transgressions. Remember how our Lord wept over Jerusalem, and Paul wept over enemies in the churches (Luke 19:41; Phil. 3:18).

Oh, that all Christians took a deeper interest in the church of God!

It were well if into all our joys and sorrows the cause of God were interwoven like a thread of gold. He is a poor patriot who forgets his country, and he is no Christian who does not bear the church upon his heart

II. THERE IS A JERUSALEM ABOVE WHICH SHOULD COME IN OUR MIND.

1. Let the believer's thoughts often go thither, for Jesus is there, our departed brethren are there, our own home is there, and thither our hopes and desires should always tend. It should be upon our minds—

· In our earthly enjoyments, lest we grow worldly.

· In our daily trials, lest we grow despondent.

· In our associations, lest we idolize present friendships.

· In our bereavements, lest we grieve inordinately.

· In old age, that we may be on the watch for the home-going.

· In death, that visions of glory may brighten our last hours.

· In all seasons, that our conversation may be in heaven.

2. Let the unconverted permit such thoughts to come into their mind, for they may well enquire of themselves thus,—

· What if I never enter heaven?

· Shall I never meet my godly relatives again?

· Where then must I go?

· Can I hope that my present life will lead me to heaven?

· Why am I not taking the right path?

· Unbelievers perish: why am I one of them? Do I wish to perish?

· How can I hope to enter heaven if I do not so much as think about it or the Lord who reigns in it?

Such thoughts will come to our minds if we will let them.

Shall we not open the door of our minds at once, and let the heavenly visitors enter and abide?