Friday December 15, 2023
Joshua 24:15
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Many are the homes that have begun as Joshua here indicates.
The two loved each other; they shared everything, including life in God. They prayed, they read the Bible, they sang, they conversed about God and their life in Him. But, in so many instances, it all went to pieces.
Domestic egoism made its appearance. It was easier to be loved than to love. It began with a small measure of ingratitude in little things and from there it went on to impoliteness. They began to be more courteous to strangers than to each other. The next step was sulkiness, silence, surliness, obstinacy.
Love is a tender and fragile plant which withers and dies without constant care. It is not enough to have love in our hearts; we must show it. People of a reticent nature are especially tempted on this score. Their unyielding and studied natures are such that their feelings die within them unexpressed. Especially is this true of some men.
O husband, whoever you are, do not be afraid to show your wife that you love her. Not only on formal occasions, but also in your daily life. That is when she needs you most. That is when she appreciates it most also. Nor should you be afraid to let others know that you honor and esteem your wife very highly.
Love’s great test comes when we begin to realize that our loved one has failings and shortcomings. Because of the intimacy of home life we also feel these defects.
I, too, have failings and shortcomings, but the desire of my heart is that I may be loved in spite of these, yes, that I may be wooed away from my failings. And if I take offense at the failings of my dear ones, I reveal the extent to which my love is mingled with selfishness.
True love bears with and forgives the failings of the loved one. More than that, it sees that our dear ones need love even more because of their very failings.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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