Give Me Humility, Grant Me Holiness

Josh April 30th, 2006

On the eve (at whatever point God so wills) of departing from my home of almost 6 years, I have been experiencing a sweetness of the savor of our Lord Jesus Christ and His creation by way of the cool of evening. For the last few weeks it has pleased God to give perfect evenings of enjoyment to this lowly creature of His. I have had the blessing of enjoying God’s creation in the abode of my front yard, sitting on a bench, hearing the birds give their last chirps for the day, watching my neighbors immersed in their daily rituals, watching their little ones test their parents’ patience, yet giving their parents joy.

While doing all this I have been enjoying a bowl or two of tobacco in my pipe and engaged in reading various things. The sweetness of it all is overwhelming and by God’s good graces, He has reminded me of the treasure I have in Him. Who am I that God would send His saving grace to me, securing me for Himself, along with a host of other needy sinners, but especially me??!!!? I read of our forefathers of the faith and cannot help but be overwhelmed by my severe laxity and laziness in the things of God. I can’t so much as arise early to meditate on God’s good word and immerse myself in prayer for but an hour? Woe unto me! May God give me humility, grant me holiness, and extract all the waste of selfishness that runs ever so incessant in my being.

Who am I to spit in the face of mercy? Who am I to have a pride in anything other than the riches and the majesty of God’s redeeming grace? I am no one. I am nothing. Yet God, in His sovereign mercy, has seen fit to grant His love to me all the more. Blessed be His Name. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!”

Change me, God. Conform me to your will. Empty myself of me, to be filled with you continually. Make me labor in godliness and hate wickedness. May I be so taken up by the things of You, that my wrestling long with wickedness will not be so elongated. Help me to mortify my flesh and to overcome evil with good. Give me humility and grant me holiness. You have granted me pardon from sin’s end; how can I live in it any longer?

2 Responses to “Give Me Humility, Grant Me Holiness”

  1. # Kenon 02 May 2006 at 7:53 am

    Josh - I find pleasure and strength in your writings. Everyday we stand at turning points. Our thoughts and actions can propel us toward growth or turn us down the road to old habits. Sometimes turning points are beginnings, as when I decide to start praising, instead of condemming someone. Or when I begin to ask for help instead of going it alone. At other times turning points are endings, such as when I see clearly the need to stop festering resentments or crippling self-seeking. Many shortcomings tempt me daily; therefore, I also have daily opportunities to become aware of them. In one form or another, many of my character defects appear daily: self-condemnation, anger, running away, being prideful, wanting to get even, or acting out of grandiosity.

    Attempting half measures to eliminate these defects merely paralyzes my efforts to change. It is only when I ask almighty God for help, with complete abandon, that I become willing - and able - to change.

    Love you, Josh.
    -Ken

  2. # Joshon 02 May 2006 at 6:20 pm

    Thanks for the reply, Cousin. Your statement concerning turning points, and how they can either be good or bad, depending on how we treat them…

    Everyday we stand at turning points. Our thoughts and actions can propel us toward growth or turn us down the road to old habits.

    …reminds me of a quote from a Puritan by the name of John Owen, in which he says:

    Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction.

    Also, your statement…

    Attempting half measures to eliminate these defects merely paralyzes my efforts to change.

    …reminded me of this quote from the same man:

    Let no man think to kill sin with few, easy, or gentle strokes. He who hath once smitten a serpent, if he follow not on his blow until he be slain, may repent that ever he began the quarrel. And so will he who undertakes to deal with sin, and pursues it not constantly to the death.

    Thanks for your input, Ken. Godspeed and Grace to you.

Comments RSS

Leave a Reply