8857. It is similar with love to the Lord. When that love is dominant it is present in every aspect of his life, as when he loves his monarch or loves his parent. While he is in their presence love towards them shines from every part of his face, is heard in every syllable of his speech, and is apparent in every one of his gestures. This is how to understand the command ¹ to have the Lord unceasingly before one's eyes and to love Him above all, with all one's soul and all one's heart.

Footnotes:

7011. 'And you are to take this rod in your hand' means Divine power in these [two kinds of truth]. This is clear from the meaning of 'rod' as power, dealt with in 4013, 4015, 4876, 4936, especially when it is held in the hand since 'hand' means spiritual power and 'rod' natural power.

There is no power at all in the natural unless it receives it from the spiritual, just as a rod has none unless it is held in the hand; and that is why it says that he was 'to take it in his hand'. Used in reference to the Lord 'hand' means the power going forth from His Divine Rational, and 'rod' the power going forth from His Divine Natural, see 6947. Divine power is said to be in these - the kinds of truth dealt with above - because power has reference to truth, 3091, 6344, 6427, 6948.