The Nineteenth of September.

WALK BEFORE ME --- Genesis 17:1.

"Walk before me (as in my presence), and be thou perfect." --- Genesis 17:1.

"Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." --- Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14.

Consequently all such things as are now called indifferent in their nature will also be brought to God's bar, and not be called indifferent there, but judged as actually good or actually evil. Oh, the prodigious harm that is done by the false doctrine of innocent things!

It opens the door to innumerable sins; for though our conscience often tells us that we should not do such things as are not actually good, yet presently innocent is pleaded, it is called a harmless thing; which, though it could not be said to be good, yet it is not evil either, but quite indifferent in its nature; by which thousands are drawn into the snares of the devil. O Lord, grant that all my works may be done unto thee, and in thy presence, agreeably to thy commandments; that even my leaves may not wither, and whatsoever I do may prosper and abide forever.

Within thy circling power I stand;
On every side I find thy hand;
Awake, asleep, at home, abroad,
I am surrounded still with God.

Oh may these thoughts possess my breast,
Where'er I rove, where'er I rest;
Nor let my weaker passions dare
Consent to sin, for God is there.

Devotion for September 19