Walking With God
Walking With God Is Living Ever As In His Presence
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3).
We must ever regard Him, not as if He were far away in some inaccessible abode – but nearer to us than our nearest friend. In our chamber, by the wayside, at our work, in our recreation, when mingling with others, or all alone – we must see One whom the world sees not; we must hear a voice that the world hears not.
In the life of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, the same truth was ever the joy of his heart. As he lay down to rest, it was his joy to know that the sleepless Guardian of His people was by him: “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for you O Lord alone make me to dwell in safety.” As he arose, he still rejoiced in the almighty Friend who was ever near him: “When I awake, I am still with thee.” Surrounded by malicious foes, it is still his confidence. “Thou art near, O LORD.” In all the vicissitudes of his eventful life, the nearness of God was the rock on which he reposed: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psa. 16:8).
Whether beneath the eye of man or not, let all things be done under the eye of Him to whom
all hearts are open,
all desires known, and
from whom no secrets are hidden!
A few plain principles have been given to assist us in carrying this out in daily practice:
Paul’s prayer, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” should guide every choice, every decision and deed.
Say nothing you would not like God to hear.
Do nothing you would not like God to see.
Write nothing you would not like God to read.
Go to no place where you would not like God to find you.
Choose no friends, companions or relationships that God would not approve of, or in which He is not welcome.
Read no book of which you would not like God to say, “Show it to me.”
Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like God to say, “What are you doing?”
To consciously live in God’s presence will aid us in cultivating thorough genuine piety and godly character.
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good (Prov. 15:3).
We must ever regard Him, not as if He were far away in some inaccessible abode – but nearer to us than our nearest friend. In our chamber, by the wayside, at our work, in our recreation, when mingling with others, or all alone – we must see One whom the world sees not; we must hear a voice that the world hears not.
In the life of the sweet Psalmist of Israel, the same truth was ever the joy of his heart. As he lay down to rest, it was his joy to know that the sleepless Guardian of His people was by him: “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for you O Lord alone make me to dwell in safety.” As he arose, he still rejoiced in the almighty Friend who was ever near him: “When I awake, I am still with thee.” Surrounded by malicious foes, it is still his confidence. “Thou art near, O LORD.” In all the vicissitudes of his eventful life, the nearness of God was the rock on which he reposed: “I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psa. 16:8).
Whether beneath the eye of man or not, let all things be done under the eye of Him to whom
all hearts are open,
all desires known, and
from whom no secrets are hidden!
A few plain principles have been given to assist us in carrying this out in daily practice:
Paul’s prayer, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” should guide every choice, every decision and deed.
Say nothing you would not like God to hear.
Do nothing you would not like God to see.
Write nothing you would not like God to read.
Go to no place where you would not like God to find you.
Choose no friends, companions or relationships that God would not approve of, or in which He is not welcome.
Read no book of which you would not like God to say, “Show it to me.”
Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like God to say, “What are you doing?”
To consciously live in God’s presence will aid us in cultivating thorough genuine piety and godly character.
– adapted from George Everard, “Daily Walking!” (1866)
