“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”— Josh. 24:15
“ME and my house.” These words bring before us a principle that runs all through Scripture. God delights to bless the households of His people and He looks for household piety. This comes out in many definite instances, as in the case of Noah (Gen. 7:1), Abraham (Gen. 18:19), Lydia, and the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:15, 31-34). We see the sad effects of failure on this line in the instances of Eli (1 Sam. 3:13) and of David himself (2 Sam. 23:5), who failed grievously in not bringing his sons into subjection, although God overruled in wondrous grace.
“Thou gracious God, whose mercy lends
The light of home, the smile of friends,
Our gathered flock Thine arms enfold,
As in the peaceful days of old,
Wilt Thou not hear us while we raise,
In sweet accord of solemn praise,
The voices that have mingled long
In joyous flow of mirth and song?
For all the blessings life has brought,
For all its sorrowing hours have taught.
For all we mourn, for all we keep,
The hands we clasp, the loved that sleep.
The noontide sunshine of the past.
These brief, bright moments fading fast,
The stars that gild our darkening years,
The twilight ray from holier spheres.
We thank Thee, Father; let Thy grace
Our loving circle still embrace.
Thy mercy shed its heavenly store,
Thy peace be with us evermore.”
—Oliver Wendell Holmes.