Semper Ubi Sub Ubi

Removing Weeds of Pride

The following tonic for this morning is from J. C. Philpot, "Wilderness Hunger and Heavenly Manna". This is more than a cup of strong coffee or a splash of ice-cold water on my face... all true, which is why it's so useful for sanctification.
(for more excellent stuff like this, go to http://www.gracegems.org and subscribe to their daily delivery service)

"I hate pride and arrogance!" Proverbs 8:13

Our hearts are desperately proud!

If there is one sin which God hates more than
another, and more sets Himself against, it is
the sin of pride.

Like a weed upon a dung-heap, pride grows
more profusely in some soils, especially when
well fertilized by . . .
rank,
riches,
praise,
flattery,
our own ignorance,
and the ignorance of others.

We all inherit pride from our fallen ancestor
Adam, who got it from Satan, that "king over
all the children of pride."

Those, perhaps, who think they possess the
least pride, and view themselves with wonderful
self-admiration as the humblest of mortals, may
have more pride than those who feel and confess
it. It may only be more deeply hidden in the dark
recesses of their carnal mind.

As God then sees all hearts, and knows every
movement of pride, whether we see it or not,
His purpose is to humble us!

"All His acts are just and true, and He is able
to humble those who are proud." Daniel 4:37

"Remember how the Lord your God led
you all the way in the wilderness these
forty years, to humble you." Deut. 8:2

When I look back upon my life, and see . . .
all my sins,
all my follies,
all my slips,
all my falls,
my conscience testifies of many things
I have thought, said, and done, which . . .
grieve my soul,
make me hang my head before God,
put my mouth in the dust, and
confess my sins unto Him.

When I contrast my own exceeding sinfulness with
God's greatness, majesty, holiness, and purity . . .
I fall down, humbly and meekly before Him.
I put my mouth in the dust.
I acknowledge I am vile.

"I am nothing but dust and ashes." Gen. 18:27 (Abraham)

"Behold, I am vile!" Job 40:4 (Job)

"Woe to me! I am ruined!" Isaiah 6:5 (Isaiah)

"I am a sinful man!" Luke 5:8 (Peter)