We must live as beggars upon the love of Christ; we are never
safe from snares but as we are thus poor in spirit.
Christ was the only one who could, without a struggle, be content
to be "a worm, and no man." (Ps. 22:6.)
The self-exalted person as much degrades himself in God's sight,
as he exalts himself in his own.
We sink into nothingness as we grow up into Christ.
To grow in poverty of spirit is truly to grow in grace: "Without
Me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5.) If we be sitting at the feet
of Jesus, all carnal boasting is excluded, we have His mind of
wisdom in all things, and cannot behave ourselves unseemly.
No rest have we for the sole of our foot except in Christ; and
whenever a poor needy one seeks Him, He deals by such an one
as did Noah by the dove. Noah put forth his hand and took her
in unto him into the ark.
If we upbraid ourselves, Christ justifies. If we be dumb in our
own defence, He opens His mouth to plead our cause, and our wounded
hearts He binds up.
If I be content to be nothing, I cannot take offence; and when
I am _really_ humble, and know myself a _worm_, I shall not complain
if trampled on.
Pride nourishes the remembrance of injuries: humility forgets
as well as forgives them.
Lot never drew near enough to God to know his own heart; it was
Abraham, and not Lot, who said, I am but "dust and ashes." (Gen.
18:27.)