At Home in the Family of God

Petri Hotari | 2025 LLC Summer Services – Congregation Evening

Sparrow Hath Found an House

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.” (Ps. 84:3,4)

I find myself marveling over God’s Word that I’ve read many times. The psalmist describes God’s kingdom as a home for sparrows and swallows, but when have I considered the difference between them? Swallows have wings built for speedy and graceful flight. Sparrows are smaller, with shorter wings and stout bodies, often seen hopping on the ground. Are swallows like the youth of Zion? Sparrows surely depict mothers and fathers who desire to raise their young in a believing home and in the security and care of the home congregation. Just like God has created many different birds He has given those that dwell in His house different phases and lots in life. It is above all a spiritual house; with altars, places of worship, where the whole family of God both young and old can all dwell and hold on to the simple instructions of God’s Word, serving each other and blessing each other with the gospel. It is a blessed place, one where all sing praises to the one Lord and God.

God Has Ordained

At the foundation of the family of God is the security of the unchanging word of God. God created humans in His image and as male and female. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28). From the rib of man God created woman and He then ordained marriage. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Also: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mark 10:9).

God ordained marriage between man and woman as a lifelong covenant. The dual purpose of marriage is for man and woman to be helpmates one to another and for accepting all the children that God blesses into the family. Yet here amid God’s kingdom are families who are not given children. God also blesses their obedience of faith. The psalmist writes: “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Ps. 127:3). The Bible also gives many examples how God opens the womb and gives the gift of children. This was seen already at the time of the Old Testament patriarchs. “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb. And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach” (Gen. 30:22,23).

Receiving a spouse is a blessing from God. Families receiving the gift of children is also a blessing from God: all things are from His hands. Do we always see it this way? Can we accept and be content in what God gives? Do we join with the songwriter, “What God ordains is ever good?” (SHZ 382). We see how the world around us moves farther away from these teachings of the Word of God. Yet God’s children cling to these unchanging instructions and trust in God. This brings peace to the heart.

Courtship and Marriage

It is a joy to all in God’s house to notice when believing youth begin courtship. For the “swallows” in Zion who are seeking for a spouse often the simple instruction of faith is given to pray to the heavenly Father that He would bless with a believing spouse. The purpose of courtship is for believing youth in soberness of faith to get to know each other, to find out if the foundation is the same, especially on matters of faith. In the unity of faith God can give believing young the gift of love towards each other that begins to flourish and grow. Courtship is not like the dating of this world that often emphasizes freedom of the flesh. This kind of lighthearted approach to courtship can lead to the dangers of sin and adultery. Courtship doesn’t always lead to the gift of marriage. Again, simple instructions and encouragement are offered to young dealing with these kinds of situations. “Pray! Allow God to lead and guide in these and all matters.” Faith teaches that it is God who gives all gifts, also the gift of a spouse; a special believer to walk in the obedience of faith together with - as one.

God’s Word clearly warns against seeking for a spouse outside of God’s Kingdom. This was one of the signs of wickedness recorded during the times of Noah before God said: “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” (Gen. 6:7) Paul in his letter clearly states, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” (2Cor. 6) The enemy of souls works hard to try for a different outcome than the instructions of God’s Word. Connections with youth from the world can lead to temptations and danger, often manifested by a pull in the wrong direction and away from the “sparrow’s house.” Satan tempts the youth with all the attractions of this world and we live in a time where the worldly connections come through devices right to the believing home. Satan also once tempted Jesus, yet Jesus was victorious. Jesus gave the youth, and all of us, a good example how to battle; turn to God’s Word. Often, I recall my mother quoting from the first psalm during my time of youth, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sittest in the seat of the scornful.” In our world today the walking, standing, sitting with those not in faith extends to a virtual world. God gives strength to His own in battle wherever the battle front is. May those connections in the virtual world also be other “swallows” from the house of God! In God’s house there is a company of angels; the many aunts, uncles, parents, godparents, grandparents and elders who can notice the youth in their endeavour of faith and encourage and offer the care of the gospel to them.

Believing youth who battle against the pull of the world and temptations of the flesh can shine like candles in a dark place. This can draw youth from the world to ask for the reason of their peace and joy. God can call those from the darkness of this world into His house. Instructions have always been for youth to not immediately begin courtship and marriage with those who have recently repented from the world. The new child of God, like a swallow with newly given wings, is given a time to “learn how to fly,” that is, become rooted and grounded in faith; to be drawn into the love and care of the congregation and to experience everyday life in believing homes. This is important! When is the right time to begin courtship for someone who has repented from the world? There is no timetable, rather the Holy Spirit guides and the right time is manifest when young receive a blessing with joy from their home Zion. If faith does not become the most important matter in their life, it will be a relief to have heeded the warnings received from home Zion against beginning courtship. The spirit that dwells in the house of God is unerring!

Obedience of the Heart

When two believing young are about to be married, we recall the simple prayer often given by the servant in the home congregation: “God thou who hast established marriage, bless this covenant. Grant this couple one-mindedness and love and make their home a Christian home.” There is much depth and instruction to these simple prayers that come from Zion. One-mindedness or unity of faith is the foundation of the believing home. The home is not intended to be a place where either the husband or wife dominates or a place of a dominant and tight spirit, rather a place where temporal differences are valued and discussed openly.

Paul in letter to the Ephesians instructed wives and husbands to serve each other. Wives are to submit themselves to their husbands and husbands are called to a higher goal of loving their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it. One-mindedness is when both husbands and wives obediently pull in the same direction, making decisions of life in humbleness, unity and in obedience to faith. In believing homes these are connected closely, obedience of faith and obedience of the heart. An obedient heart desires to heed the teachings of God’s Word and the instructions of the Holy Spirit that speaks in the congregation. Even difficult decisions made in often weak faith and obedience of the heart do not cause division in the home but instead obedience brings peace and draws family closer together. This is the work of the spirit of God.

Obedience of the heart brings the family a desire to teach children about faith in the home. This duty of fathers and mothers extends beyond the home so that it is seen as a priority to bring the family to the home Zion to be taught, to be in the hearing of God’s Word, participate in camps, partake in the sacraments and support the work of the kingdom in its many forms. God has blessed Zion today with many opportunities for teaching and fellowship but this does not diminish the importance of families gathering in their homes to read from Christian publications, quieting to hear an online devotion or to sing the songs of Zion together.

God’s Word gives many examples of obedience. Some familiar ones from Mary and Joseph who in obedience to the law brought Baby Jesus to the temple to be circumcised, then after forty days to be presented to the Lord as part of the Old-Testament sacrificial worship service. Later they brought Jesus as a 12-year-old boy to Jerusalem to the feast of the Passover. These are examples of how believing families go to where services are arranged. We recall Moses’ instructions on the wilderness journey, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou lies down, and when thou rises up” (Deut. 6:7). The writer to the Hebrews reminds: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb.10:25). This duty to exhort or remind to gather, to go to services doesn’t leave anyone behind, rather all in God’s house can help teach and reach out to bring others to service events and camps.

The children of Zion need the teaching and instruction that comes from the gifts of the members that dwell there. This includes from those members who haven’t been given a spouse or children. Jesus gave this example when some came to mention that his family was seeking for him: “And he answered them saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on him with sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and my mother” (Mark 3:33–35). The house of God is a spiritual house where all gifts are needed and obedience to serve with these gifts is needed for the support of the whole family of God.

Obedience of the heart of faith connects the home to the family of God. It gives strength to fight the flesh that always desires to draw back and is drawn towards sin. When one draws back, one becomes vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy of souls and the pull of the world. When personal plans and aspirations become all-important, this can also lead to one drawing back. Is this one of the signs of our time? Surely the enemy of souls knows when to use even healthy hobbies as a tool to soak up important family time or time away from the home congregation. His goal is to create in the heart a desire to sacrifice time with the family of God for the “home idols” that are of this world. This can happen between spouses or to both spouses or any member of the family because we all carry the corrupt flesh and blood that is so closely aligned to this world.

Signs of this can emerge when there is a lack of time to gather as family in the home, especially around matters of faith; leading to a lack of time to gather with the home congregation. A falling away can result, bringing with it more concerning signs and worldly behavior. For example, a husband and wife striving to attain personal goals and pursuits of this world with increasing priority, finding less time for duties of home and family, can start to become more closely tempted by the world’s ways and sins such as family planning and birth control seem like the solution. The amount of time spent consuming the media of this world or closely following organized sports can start to increase. Oh, how important it is to be travelling closely connected with the family of God, from where help is found for the life of faith, for we live in perilous times (2 Tim. 3:1).

God’s Word gives many examples of the importance of traveling with a heart that is obedient. King Saul, who was disobedient, was given this rebuke from God’s prophet: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou has rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Sam. 15:22,23). We recall how Jacob’s family, including his dear wife Rebecca, took and hid “home idols” when fleeing Laban’s house. But then later it is recorded, “Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem (Gen. 35:2–4).

Whether the family is one single traveler, spouses without children, or a father and mother with many children, always timely is the instruction to hear the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit that draws the children of God together. It reminds that personal temporal goals and pursuits are not that important. Obedience of the heart that is led by the Holy Spirit helps to counterbalance personal aspirations with the need to travel together with the children of God in faith. In fact, it gives a yearning to do so. The song writer well depicts this connection and yearning: “I yearn to travel with them, this congregation blest, my heart for each rejoicing when one is called to rest; I yearn to share their burdens, when grief and illness weigh, to bear the water basin and wash all sin away” (SHZ 204:4).

Life of Service

The writer to Ecclesiastes writes: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted” (Eccl. 3:1,2). God, who gives the gift of life, can bless into the home many children. For fathers, and especially mothers, life becomes a life of service to the family. In the busyness of the home, often there is no time left over for personal goals or hobbies. Weariness can come to the “sparrows” tending the nest, feeding the young. In the moments of adversity, the care of the gospel is often needed to strengthen the desire to share in the mutual responsibility in the home. Fathers that take a second wind to help the mothers who often work double shifts in the home may be rewarded by seeing newfound joy and energy. The help of fathers means so much to the home. This same effect is seen in double to both parents when angels from the home Zion come in with sleeves rolled up to help! This sharing of a life of service naturally extends to the older children and into God’s house where aunts and uncles also provide support. God does not forget his children and provides strength day by day. The time to raise young is a season that God gives which comes with many blessings that may not always be seen. In hindsight, this season is so fleeting.

Into this busyness of family life there is a need to provide spiritual sowing into the home by both mothers and fathers. Fathers as the head of the family are exhorted to take a leadership role to ensure God’s Word is read and discussed at home. Often it feels that the flesh and blood must be dragged along in fulfilling this important sowing work and many lackings and weaknesses are often felt. Encouragement is needed; the duty being very important. The psalmist encourages: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Ps. 126:5). Traditions should be set into the home for reading God’s Word and singing the songs of Zion. These traditions will become the dearest and richest enduring memories of family life. Jesus reminded clearly of this when Mary was at his feet to hear His words while Martha was going about with much serving: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41,42).

We are living perilous times and young couples may find themselves going through times of great temporal and spiritual trials. In their struggles, the home life can become neglected and as the song writer describes: “With selfishness and hurry, how blinded we become. We scarcely even notice our dear one’s needs at home.” Yet God does not ever forget His own and can send those from home Zion to help the struggling families. Continuing the verse: “But then we pray, dear Father. and share our stress and burden within the care of Christ” (SHZ 420:3). Also from another familiar verse: “Zion will carry you in peace and friendship true, in charity” (SHZ 252:3). All in the family of God are given a life of service; elder couples to the young couples and the young to the old. Do we notice in our congregations if there are young couples who are in difficult straits, perhaps even struggling with the simple instructions in how to live in the house of God? Do we need to reach out to them, go visit them or invite them to our homes? These are good questions to ask in the house of God, and He sends help from Zion. The Holy Spirit gives the whole family of God the mind to serve each other and help the struggling young families also.

Then there are the youth, the graceful flying swallows. They need families to open their homes for events like haps. These joyous occasions of fellowship also need to find moments for God’s Word and songs of Zion: also bringing to the joy and busyness a feeling of peace and festive moments for the life of faith. This is often what the youth need the most. The enemy of souls tries to trap and entice the whole family of God but especially the young. Hosting the youth further adds to the life of service for families but it is a very important addition. This presents an opportunity for the youth, singles, aunts, uncles and others in the house of God to reciprocate and help the hosting families.

We are reminded of the importance of opening our homes for the youth especially during a time of loss, when the enemy is able to deceive youth to leave the one saving-faith. In these moments the whole family of God feel great depths of loss and sorrow. The enemy does not just target the youth but all of those in the house of God. But God helps in battle and His children turn to him with unceasing prayers on behalf of the loved ones who have lost the way. Prayers and preaching to the lost ones are part of the life of service of the family of God: “I shall continue preaching to you, my child, each day till dirt and dust have covered my aged head of gray” (SHZ 583:4).

Blessing of Family

The gift of family brings many blessings. Family members share a common sense of belonging and purpose. Bonds of family can be strengthened during family traditions and events and the cherished memories they create. Family is a place to turn to for guidance and help during a time of adversity; where, by sharing, joys can be multiplied, and sorrows are divided. The busyness of family brings a richness to life. There is less room for selfishness and idle time, perhaps helping spare from many temptations and snares of this world. These are but a few of the many blessings of family. At the core of family is the gift of love that joins and creates a desire for family to travel through life together. The songwriter writes: “We need each other, Father, an open, warm embrace, the parents’ life experience, the children’s trusting gaze. We meet with disappointments, surprises, and enjoyment, here traveling side by side (SHZ 420:2).

In addition to these blessings, the gift of faith in a believing family brings with it a deeper spiritual love. This love is the first fruit of faith (Gal. 5:22). This further strengthens family with the most important bonds, spiritual bonds. This importance is especially felt when a family member has been deceived by the enemy and forsakes the gift of faith and spiritual bonds of family are broken. There remains great love of the believing family towards the prodigal sons and daughters but there is also a great gulf which separates us when spiritual bonds are lost. For it is the spiritual bond of love that compels spouses and family to forgive each other’s failings and wrongs with the gospel of the blood of Christ.

It has been said that the most important piece of furniture in the believing home is the throne of grace, the gospel of the forgiveness of sins; for it sustains spiritual life and spiritual bonds of peace and joy. The grace of God that dwells in the believing home also is a “home teacher” that teaches how to live by faith. As Paul writes: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for the that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11–13). Oh, there is reason to thank God for the gift of our believing family and all the blessings it brings!

Care for the life of faith in the home is closely tied to the life in the congregation of God. It has a richness and abundance of blessings that cannot be fully known. Families of God are blessed with so many gifts and events that bring peace and spiritual food to the soul. Some of these are: congregation gatherings, services, gathering for the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion and larger festive services. The spirit of God that is shed on our hearts opens eyes of faith to see travel companions as such dear friends of the heart, whether they are young, the newly repented, elders or those who we have only met briefly over the years at services. It is like the elder believers and the many newly converted believers together in the early Christian church. “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:32). These words, “one heart,” “one soul,” and “all things common,” speak of the blessings of the spiritual family of God that can only be seen and known when one has been given the gift to be in the family of God. Its beauty is only seen from the inside.

For sure family brings differences and uniqueness in character; many different gifts are needed in the family and in the congregation. Many faults and failings exist also among the family members. The endeavor of faith in marriage or in family is not a bed of roses. At the same time the enemy can paint a rosy picture of the world outside the life of the families of God’s Kingdom. The Old Testament traveler Asaph, openly describes his feelings: “For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Ps. 73:3). He then compared his lot as a child of God: “When I thought to know this it was too painful for me” (v.16). Then, finally remembering the blessings: “Until I went into the sanctuary of God: then understood I their end” (v.17). Asaph was lifted up and given to remember the most important blessing of being in the family of God: “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever (v.25,26).

The blessing and strength of the family of God is in the shared gospel, as Paul writes to the Colossians: "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Col. 3:13). For those in the family of God, the power of the gospel turns envy of the life in the world to an appreciation and yearning for the life in the house of God instead! The Old Testament prophet Zechariah wrote about this: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury. Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof” (Zech. 8:2–5). Oh, what a precious picture of being at home in the family of God, where all of any age carry the gospel staff!

Protection from the World

We recall Jacob’s distress upon hearing the news of his brother Esau coming with 400 men. He prayed to God: “Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children” (Gen. 32:11). We remember the encounter when Esau embraced his brother and then as it is recorded: “And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children with God hath graciously given thy servant” (Gen. 33:5). This example reminds of how God protects His children and families in this world and in times of fear and worry. In another example we recall how, when Jesus was a baby boy, the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream: “Arise, take the young child and his mother, and flee unto Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Matt 2:13). In distress and trials of life it is good to remember to put our trust in God: He never forgets His own, as Isaiah writes: “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me” (Isa. 49:16).

God also leads and guides His whole spiritual house and He never slumbers. A clear example of this is from the wilderness journey: “The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night” (Exod. 13:21). The Holy Spirit has always and will always guide the family of God. We remember how generations ago the believers experienced how the Holy Spirit guided in teaching that the television was not for the believing home. Believers, generations afterwards, have marveled at the protection this has given the believing home, and we still hold to this teaching, continuing to experience how obedience protects us from evil. We have to recognize that the enemy is never idle and today the television can be concealed in the palm of a hand.

The decision of the believers not to participate in Halloween was similarly led and guided by the spirit in the house of God. We also remember already from the Old Testament, the children of God decided to forsake the practice of adorning themselves with makeup and earrings. God’s children still cling to these instructions today and living in obedience to all these things continues to bring blessings and protection we cannot fully appreciate or know!

The winds of this world blow all the more into believing homes today, yet we are assured that the swallow still has a home and a sparrow a nest in the kingdom of God. God has seen even our time all beforehand and provided protections which will be made known in time. As we read in the Shepherd’s psalm: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Moreover, the Good Shepherd has promised to be with his own “even unto the end of the world.” Above all it is the staff of the gospel, the forgiveness of sins, that uplifts the weak hands and strengthens the feeble knees of the member in God’s house. It gives strength day by day to travel towards the heavenly home, the home where earthly storms cannot reach; where the whole family of God with all former saints will have reunion together and sing praises to the lamb of God eternally.

Discussion Questions

1. What support do the young and young couples need in the time we live? What are the timely issues that should be visited about? What traditions in the home are important to pass on?

2. Blessings of time and prosperity can provide opportunity for healthy hobbies for believing families. In what ways might these pursuits bring worry and be timely topics to openly discuss?

3. Discuss fellowship between the young and old: what are the benefits? How can we encourage believer to engage in this type of fellowship?

4. How should we support our youth? Do we see the youth gatherings such as haps as important? In what ways do they offer a time to quieten around matters of faith and songs of Zion?

5. Are families in Zion more lonely? Is there a need to draw near, to encourage more fellowship?

6. How has God’s Spirit led and guided in your life and protected you?

7. Are the decisions the believers made in the past been always easy to follow? Having followed them, what have they brought you and your loved ones?

8. When larger services are arranged is it your habit to attend in person? Can some struggle to attend? If so how can we encourage and help? What do you plan in your home Zion for those unable to attend?

9. What will it be like in heaven one day for the whole family of God?

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