December 5

Be not high-minded, but fear.—Romans 11:20.

DO I prayerfully watch against trusting too much to my own strength or good purposes? Do I realize that a holy fear is the best safeguard against self-confidence and high-mindedness, and that he who so fears, is most sure to stand fast in the divine strength? Do I bear in mind that God will ever keep in safety those who live near to him, and will never fail those who put their trust in him? Is my great fear that I may be negligent, and false to my duty and to him?

All God's children have received God's Spirit, whereby they are made humble, believing, holy, and watchful: humble, as regards their sins; believing in regard to Christ; holy in regard of their conscience, and watchful in their effort to keep all God's commandments.—PAYSON

I charge you, be clothed with humility. Let Christ increase, but man decrease. Oh! for such close communion with God, that soul, body, head and heart may all shine with divine brilliancy! But oh for a holy ignorance of their shining!—McCHEYNE.

Oh, for a lowly, contrite heart, Believing true and clean!

Which neither life nor death can part, From Him that dwells within.

A heart in every thought renewed, And full of love divine;

Perfect and right and pure and good, A copy, Lord, of thine.—C. WESLEY.