January 23

A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps. Prov. 16. 9.

The world is not ruled by chance or blind circumstance, but the Lord Omnipotent reigneth. And He governs the world according to a wise and good plan. His wisdom and justice and love in the government of the world should be our comfort. Of God's government of the world the psalm says: "The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of His habitation He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashions their hearts alike; He considereth all their works." God is not unconcerned about the affairs on earth. Of all the millions of people not one escapes His all-seeing eye; nor is He an idle spectator, allowing man to do as he pleases, but He fashions the hearts of all, and all things and all the affairs of men are in His hands, subject to His control and direction.

And His government extends even to the smallest and most trifling matters. He cares for the sparrows; one of them shall not fall to the ground without His permission. To the sparrows He stands but in the relation of the Creator to the creature; to us, however, He stands in the relation of a father to his children. If the Creator cares for the minutest of His creatures, will He not care for us, His children, whom He has bought with a price?

True, there are in this world wills other than God's. The will of the devil, the world, and our flesh are powerful wills for evil. But the Lord reigns supreme. He defends us against all danger and guards and protects us from all evil. His kingdom rules over all. The storm and the sea obey Him. All creatures obey His mandates. His government is everywhere. Earth and sun and moon and stars do His pleasure. The Omnipotent reigneth. He governs the world. We may confidently say: "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me."

Prayer.

O almighty and everlasting God, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, to direct, sanctify, and govern both our hearts and bodies in the ways of Thy laws and in the works of Thy commandments, that through Thy most mighty protection we may be preserved in body and soul. Watch over us with Thy power, save us from all calamity, and grant us grace to pass all the days of our lives blameless, holy, peaceful, and free from offense; for with Thee is mercy and plenteous redemption. Amen.

I know that the flowers must wither And the stars be dimmed some day; The song will sink into silence And all things pass away. But I also know of a Savior, Whose face I shall sometime see. He rules with a love eternal, And that is enough for me.