A good question is, "On what do you think every day of your life?" Yes, at work one's thoughts must be on what one is called to do. The mother in the home also has many earthly things wherewith her mind must be busy. But there are also spiritual things on which we must set our minds every day. Surely, we must keep the Lord's day holy, and frequent God's house. That day must be one wherein our thoughts are fixed on spiritual matters, not only while we are in church, but also before we go to church, between the services, and after the evening service.
But listen once to what Paul writes about every day of our lives: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" ( Philippians 4:8 ).
Look once at these elements of truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, and good report. Here you have virtues. But here you also have reasons to praise God. He is true, honest, just, pure, lovely (as the God of all glory), and therefore of good report. By all means then thank Him and praise Him for His infinite virtues.
The idea plainly is that we must have God in our minds, keep His law perfectly, believe all that He wrote through men concerning Himself and concerning us in our calling and salvation in Christ. Flee from sin, and praise God by your walk as well as by your words.
It is not enough to think about what Paul mentions. We must, as he says, think on these things. We must learn to see more fully our calling so that in our lives is realized what God declared through Isaiah: "This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise" ( Isaiah 43:21 ). We do that only when we walk, as God calls us to walk, in His holy Word.
Read: I Peter 2 .
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Lamentations 3:1-66
Hebrews 1:1-14
Psalm 102:1-28
Proverbs 26:21-22
****
Quote for Reflection:
"When, therefore, standing on Mount Zion, in the new Jerusalem, as the redeemed and sanctified people of God, we hear the name of Jehovah our God, a holy fear and reverence fills our hearts and minds. It is in that name that He has covenant fellowship with us. It is in the name of Jehovah Salvation, revealed unto us in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer, that we approach Him, enter into His sanctuary, pour out our hearts before Him in prayer and supplication, praise and adore Him, seek our refuge in Him, and hope for His salvation. " Herman Hoeksema
