​November 8

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain — Exodus 20:7.
 
Although this commandment was not given to spiritual Israel, we can readily see how the spirit of it comes to us. … We have taken the name of Christ as our name. … The holy name of the Head belongs to all the consecrated. … What carefulness the thought of this should give us, and how appropriately we should say to ourselves: "I must see to it that I have not taken the Lord's name in vain, that I appreciate the honor, dignity and responsibility of my position as His representative and ambassador in the world. I will walk circumspectly, seeking as far as possible to bring no dishonor to that name, but contrariwise to honor it in every thought and word and deed"—Z '04, 73 (R 3329).
 
The name of God stands for His appellation, nature, character, reputation, honor, office and word. As God's representatives, the consecrated take His name in all these ways—now tentatively, and after the resurrection fixedly and eternally. To take His name in vain would imply either to neglect to use, or to misuse the privileges that come to us in our consecration as God's representatives. Accordingly, he who is unfaithful in his consecration takes the name of God in vain; while he who is faithful to his consecration vows, takes God's name properly and in harmony with its purpose. So to do should be our daily purpose—P '34, 159.
 
Parallel passages: Lev. 19:12; 22:32; 24:10-16; Deut. 4:10; 5:29; 10:12, 20, 21; Josh. 24:14; 1 Sam. 2:30; Job 21:14; 40:2; Prov. 30:8, 9; Rom. 12:1; Matt. 10:22; 25:14-29.

Hymns: 278, 14, 196, 224, 277, 198, 8.
Poems of Dawn, 92: Believe Good Things of God.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 55 (R 5404).

Questions: What have I done this week with God's name? How? Why? With what results?

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BELIEVE GOOD THINGS OF GOD

WHEN in the storm it seems to thee
That He who rules the raging sea
Is sleeping, still, on bended knee,
Believe good things of God.

When thou hast sought in vain to find
The silver thread of love entwined
In life's soft, tangled web, resigned,
Believe good things of God.

And should He smite thee till thy heart
Is crushed beneath the bruising smart,
Still, while the bitter teardrops start,
Believe good things of God.

'Tis true thou mayst not understand
The dealings of thy Father's hand;
But trusting what His love hath planned,
Believe good things of God.

He loves thee; in that love confide;
Unchanging, faithful, true and tried;
And through whatever may betide,
Believe good things of God.