The Ninth of September.

BE NOT WISE IN YOUR OWN CONCEITS --- Romans 12:16.

"Lean not unto thine own understanding." --- Proverbs 3:5.

"Be not wise in your own conceits." --- Romans 12:16.

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." --- 1 Corinthians 3:19.

Whoever desires to know the will of the Lord, and prayeth earnestly for instruction, shall certainly know his will. But he must not be wise in his own conceits, nor lean to his own understanding, nor expect that the wisdom or learning of this world will explain the things of God.

He must not seek to reconcile the word to his lusts, but combat his lusts by the word. In short, he must come to Jesus for instruction, with the same simplicity as a child comes to learn its letters: and not come for a month or a year, but sit all his life at the feet of Jesus, to receive instruction from him. Lord, make me jealous of myself, enable me to go in and out with prayer, and keep me from all errors that may hurt my soul.

This saith the wisdom of the Lord,
Bless'd is the man that hears my word,
Keeps daily watch before my gates,
And at my feet for mercy waits.

The soul that seeks me shall obtain
Immortal wealth and heavenly gain;
Immortal life is his reward,
Life and the favour of the Lord.

But the vile wretch that flies from me,
Doth his own soul an injury;
Fools, that against my grace rebel,
Seek death, and love the road to hell.

Devotion for September 9