July 2

"These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart."—Deuteronomy 6:6.

IT is well when the Word of God governs my personal life. It should control my body with its members and passions. It should solve the puzzling questions of my intellect. It should answer the indictment and allay the fears of my conscience. It should fill my imagination with pure and inspiring pictures. It should make my will the happy bondservant of Christ. It should satisfy the cravings of my heart for the perfect and eternal love.

And it is well when the Word of God governs my home life. When I teach it to the children, when I talk of it sitting in the house and walking by the way, lying down and rising up, I am giving them the sublimest theme for meditation, the best rule of conduct, the strongest safeguard against evil, the passport to the family of the Lord and the city of the King. I am rendering them the fruitfullest service conceivable. I am clothing them in armour of proof.

And it is well when the Word of God governs my social life. Let it be written on the posts of my house and on my gates. Then my neighbours will know where I stand and whom I serve. They will not come to me to talk gossip and scandal, and to whisper away the good name of man and woman with idle tongues. They will not wish me to be a partner with them in any evil work. They will be drawn rather towards the Book and towards the Lord.

In my personal history, in the relationships of my home, in my social intercourse, let God and God's Word rule with an undisputed sceptre and a gracious tyranny.