August 5

Third Sunday after Trinity

Be clothed with humility. I S. PETER v. 5.

LET your soul lie before God ready to be despoiled of one thing after another, as He may see fit. Hard, indeed, it will be to nature, but the soul which is able to do this, and to possess God wholly and entirely, is indeed blessed above all others. Christ is the centre, not only of our religion, but of our spiritual life. He humbled Himself to death, even the death of the Cross! therefore let us be clothed with humility. Be covered all over with lowliness of heart, leaving no part unguarded, with bonds and knots, as the word implies, wrapping closely around you this mantle of protection; and why? for "God resisteth," setteth Himself in array against, "the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." S. Peter himself knew by sad experience the truth of what he said; for before his fall he said, "Though all men shall be offended because of Thee, yet will I never be offended." But after the resurrection, when his Lord said unto him, "Lovest thou Me more than these?" he was grieved at the question being thrice put to him, and said, "Lord, Thou knowest all things: Thou knowest that I love Thee." Thus did he learn to look to God only, not venturing to compare himself again with others, or to prefer himself before them.

My soul, wouldst thou behold thy God, Wouldst thou for ever be

There, where thy sight can bear His light Through all eternity?

Wouldst thou arise to those pure skies Where no sin-clouds obscure,

And there abide with Him Who died? Thou must, my heart, be pure!