Begin with God—Be Sure You Do It
BEGIN WITH GOD—BE SURE YOU DO IT.—Make his service the first thing always, especially in the morning. Never, never to bustle about in worldly matters, till you bow the knee imploringly, with strong, very strong importunity. Besiege a mercy-seat for protection. Buckle on the whole armor, especially the shield of faith. It is exceedingly dangerous for a man to enter a battle-field unarmed, defenceless. This world is a battle-field, an enemy’s country, darts are flying thick and fast on every side. Begin with God, seek first his aid and his righteousness, his salvation. Bow the knee in humble, fervent supplications, as you rise from your couch. Ask God to bless you, keep you, sanctify you, hold up your going that your footsteps slip not; and be sure not to forget to bless Zion. Furthermore, when the hour comes, gather your family, your little ones and great ones, servants and all. Open the big book, the blessed book; read, sing, pray. See, too, that all things are done right, decently and in order. Get your soul alive in the fire, full of love, and you will be able, by faith, continually to ward off the fiery darts of Satan all the day, and praise God at setting sun. “Have not time!” Brother, what do you mean? “Have not time!” Whose is time? Whose? Is time yours, or God’s, which? What have you that you can call your own, any thing? Exactly nothing. Your time, your talents, your property, your all, are God’s purchased with blood! Talk about time, you can no more dispense with reading God’s word, secret and family prayers, than you can do without food. Better a thousand times defer your meals, your breakfast, dinner and supper, than neglect God.—Golden Rule.