Everything on This Side Hell Is Mercy
A humble heart is a heart that recognizes the mercy of God in all things, and remains silent before Him.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the significance of humility in the life of a believer, urging individuals to recognize their unworthiness and the mercy they receive from God. He explains that a humble heart perceives even the smallest mercies as great gifts and views afflictions with a sense of peace, understanding that everything outside of hell is a form of mercy. Brooks contrasts the humble soul's quiet acceptance with the prideful person's contention and unrest, highlighting that true humility leads to contentment and silence before God. He encourages believers to labor daily to cultivate humility, which allows them to appreciate God's grace amidst life's challenges.
Text
Oh! labor every day to be more humble and more
low and little in your own eyes. 'Who am I,' says
the humble soul--'but that God should cross me in
this mercy, and take away that mercy, and pass a
sentence of death upon every mercy? I am not
worthy of the least mercy, I deserve not a
crumb of mercy, I have forfeited every mercy.'
Only by pride comes contention. It is only pride that
puts men upon contending with God and men.
A humble soul will lie quiet at the foot of God, it
will be contented with bare necessities. A dinner
of green herbs relishes well with the humble man's
palate; whereas a stalled ox is but a coarse dish to
a proud man's stomach.
A humble heart thinks none less than himself, nor
none worse than himself.
A humble heart looks upon small mercies as great
mercies; and great afflictions as small afflictions;
and small afflictions as no afflictions; and therefore
sits mute and quiet under all. Do but keep humble,
and you will keep silent before the Lord.
Pride kicks, and flings, and frets; but a humble man
has still his hand upon his mouth. Everything on
this side hell is mercy--much mercy, rich mercy
to a humble soul; and therefore he remains mute
under the smarting rod.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Dangers of Pride
- A. Pride leads to contention with God and men
- B. Pride makes us unworthy of mercy
- II. The Benefits of Humility
- A. A humble soul is content with bare necessities
- B. A humble heart thinks none less than themselves
- C. A humble heart looks upon small mercies as great
- III. The Relationship Between Humility and Silence
- A. Humility leads to silence before the Lord
- B. Pride leads to speaking out against God's will
Key Quotes
“Only by pride comes contention.” — Thomas Brooks
“A humble soul will lie quiet at the foot of God, it will be contented with bare necessities.” — Thomas Brooks
“Everything on this side hell is mercy--much mercy, rich mercy to a humble soul;” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We must labor every day to be more humble and little in our own eyes.
- A humble heart looks upon small mercies as great mercies, and great afflictions as small afflictions.
- Keeping humble leads to silence before the Lord, and a humble soul remains mute under the smarting rod.