111. Tuesday after Sexagesima Sunday.
Psalm 19, 7-12. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
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Nothing on earth is as perfect as is the word of God. The holy scriptures are the pure and clear fountain of Israel, out of which flow knowledge of God, faith, and holiness. This word is true and sure, and we may rely on it without any fear of being deceived. Take any of the Bible ordinances; for instance, that concerning the marriage relation, and compare with it the law laid down by Mahomet or by any other religious teacher, and you can be in no doubt as to which is right. And equally safe and reliable are the scriptural promises. What the Lord has promised he fulfills to the letter. No man has at any time had a bank note more safe than that which you have in the promise of God to give you all that you need here, and eternal happiness in the world to come. No word of all that which the mouth of the Lord has spoken has failed to come true; but should its fulfillment be postponed, then do you wait on the Lord; he shall surely come, he shall not fail to appear. This word is pure as refined gold, there is no dross in it; therefore it is incorruptible altogether, and not one jot or tittle of it shall pass away. It is fulfilled, and is being fulfilled, and abides forever. One by one the structures reared by human philosophy totter and fall; time disintegrates their ruins, they crumble into dust and pass away; but the word of God is everlasting. It is the bright sun without any spots, the perfect light without any dark lines; beautiful and grateful to the eye, and glorious to walk in for the upright. Dear reader; keep the word of God, and you shall know its excellency. “In keeping them there is great reward.”
However, none of us is as yet perfect herein. The saints who walk in the light of the word see much sin in themselves at all times, and know that they have many secret faults, besides, which they do not perceive. Sin does not have dominion over them, but it oppresses and troubles them. Then the word of God is their help; and in their daily repentance they experience its power to admonish, comfort, and strengthen.
Lord, create in us the desire to understand the truth and purity of thy word. Grant that we may love the word and delight in walking in it; that we may regard it as more to be desired than the finest gold, and as sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Lord God, thou dost speak to me most beauteous words; let now, I pray thee, the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, my strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
How precious is the Book divine,
By inspiration given!
Bright as a lamp its doctrines shine,
To guide our souls to heaven.
It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts
In this dark vale of tears:
Life, light, and joy, it still imparts,
And quells our rising fears.