Quotable

February 1, 1993

Various

The Bible never flatters its heroes. It tells us the truth about each one of them in order that against the background of human breakdown and failure we may magnify the grace of God and recognize that it is the delight of the Spirit of God to work upon the platform of human impossibilities. As we consider the record of bible characters, how often we find ourselves looking into a mirror. We are humiliated by the reminder of how many times we have failed. . . . The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment, the manufacture of a saint the task of a lifetime.

—Alan Redpath, The Making of a Man of God, while he was pastor of Moody Church in Chicago

When a man is used to be much with God, and taken up in the study of his glorious attributes, he abhors himself in dust and ashes; and that self-abhorrence is his best preparative to obtain admittance to God again. . . . A proud mind is high in conceit, self-esteem, and carnal aspiring; a humble mind is high indeed in God’s esteem, and in holy aspiring. . . . Art thou a man of worth in thy own eyes? Art thou delighted when thou hearest of thy esteem with men, and much dejected when thou hearest that they slight thee? . . . Are thy passions kindled if thy word or will be crossed? . . . Canst thou not serve God in a low place as well as a high? Are thy boastings restrained more by prudence or artifice than humility?

—Richard Baxter (1615-91)

Humble, Lord, my haughty spirit,

Bid my swelling thoughts subside;

Strip me of my fancied merit:

What have I to do with pride?

Was my Savior meek and lowly?

And shall such a worm as I

Weak, and earthly, and unholy,

Dare to lift my head on high?

Teach me, Lord, my true condition;

Bring me childlike to Thy knee;

Stripped of every low ambition,