“I GOT A job in town, Mother,” I exclaimed Reg. “Mr. Banks has just sent word for me to report for work in the morning.”
That night Reg’s mother packed his suitcase and as she put in his Bible she said, “Now, Reg, mind your daily reading. Whatever else you miss, don’t miss that. You know how God often brought it to your mind at school when temptation was near, and you will need it all the more in the city.”
June 3 — “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thess. 5:2222Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22). That was Reg’s “daily text” that morning. “Lord, keep me in mind of that today,” he prayed.
At lunch time a group of young fellows stood discussing the races in the dining hall.
“Which horse will you back, Reg?” asked one as he passed.
“No horse at all, Bob,” was Reg’s firm reply.
“Too much of a saint for that,” said another with a sneer. “Plenty of people as good as you do it, and there’s no harm in it.”
“God says, ‘Abstain from all appearance of evil,’ " Reg replied quietly, and he walked away. You see, his daily text was abiding in his heart and it kept him from the snare the devil laid for his feet. How glad his mother was to hear it!
Do not fail to commit to memory some part of God’s Word and don’t fear to act as It bids you do. In keeping His commandments there is great reward.
You can well afford to bear the scoffer’s contempt and the sinner’s sneer, if you are doing what pleases God. The path of obedience is a happy path. There is real joy in pleasing God; and although for a time perhaps the opposition of godless men may be hard to bear, it will be seen in the end that he who honors God loses nothing for time or eternity. The Word of God is a “choice treasure” and of more value than “much fine gold.”
ML-02/17/1974