November 17

Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy, . . . I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit.—Isaiah 57:15.

DOES the sense of my sinfulness and weakness, keep me, at all times, humble before God? Do I feel my insufficiency and unworthiness; and that but for restraining grace, I should be constantly sinning, as but for pardoning grace, I should be condemned for ever? Do I pray for light and wisdom from on high, that I may fully know myself, and that at the same time I may know the richness of the grace that is in Christ Jesus? Do all my hopes rest on him?

It is the peculiar province and glory of gospel grace to humble every believer in the dust, and from gratitude and love to produce the best obedience.—VENN.

Not all the devils in hell, nor all the temptations of the world, can hurt that man who keeps himself humble and depending on Christ. As Christ humbled himself to honor our nature, we should humble ourselves to honor his name.—J. MASON.

The lowly spirit God hath consecrated,

As his abiding rest;

And angels by the patriarch's tent have waited,

When kings had no such guest.

The dew that never wets the lofty mountain,

Falls in the valley free;

Bright verdure fringes the small desert fountain,

But barren sand the sea.