Punctuality in attending the meetings is the second word that I would bring before you, beloved brethren. It is recorded in Luke 22:1414And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. (Luke 22:14), “When the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.”
All things had been before prepared by the two whom the Lord sent to “make ready.” And when the hour came He was there, and the twelve also. They were not five, or ten, or twenty minutes, late, like many of the saints nowadays often are. There was an hour fixed, and the apostles were there to sit down punctually with Him. But in our day it seems a matter of very little moment with many of God’s dear children whether they are present at the hour or not; indeed, lateness seems a habit with many saints. Now, does this not manifest the state of soul such persons are in? Unless there is a good reason, something that really hinders those who always come late, they must be in a cold, careless condition. Do they not know how much they disturb the meeting by coming in after time? And then their own souls must suffer if they have come in hurriedly and disquietly. When they do so, they cannot possibly enjoy the Lord’s presence, or worship Him. It is well to be in good time at all meetings, whether it be for breaking bread, prayer, or preaching the gospel; well to have a little silent prayer for God’s own presence and blessing. But it is often the case that strangers are in the room in good time, and the saints come in after the hour, only to unsettle and hinder the meeting. O, let me entreat you, not only to come together, but to come in time! It merely needs decision. You can be in time for the train, or be punctual at your business, and why not in the room or hall at the appointed time? The word is,
Judge before the Lord, I pray you, with His own example before you. Is it decent to make a practice of being late? Is this order? Is it according to God?