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Where
shall we hide our blushing face?
(Octavius
Winslow)
There is much indeed in ourselves of which we
have reason truly to be ashamed, and to be filled
with profound self abhorrence. We have need to
be ashamed . . .
of our unbelief;
of our low thoughts of the Savior;
of our little love to God;
of our slow advance in the divine life;
of our imperfect conformity to Christ;
of the power of indwelling sin;
of our slender spiritual attainments in . . .
knowledge,
personal holiness, and
heavenly meekness.
What shamefacedness should cover us,
that we are so ready . . .
to compromise,
to falter, and
to halt.
How deeply humbled should we be that there
still exists in us so much carnality, love of the
world, and conformity to the world; so little of
the crucified spirit of a cross bearing Savior!
What cause of shame that, with all our profession,
the pulse of spiritual life beats in our souls so faintly,
the spirit of prayer breathes in us so feebly, that we
possess so little real, vital religion, and follow Christ
at so great a distance.
Filled with self abasement should we be, that the
fruits and graces of the Spirit are in us so sickly,
drooping, and dwarfed; that we have so limited
a measure of faith, love, and humility; are so
defective in our patience and meekness, wisdom,
and gentleness; that, with all our blossom and
foliage, there is so little real fruit to the glory
of our Father.
May we not, in view of all this, exclaim with Ezra,
in his deep grief and humiliation for the sins of the
people, "O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush
to lift up my face to You. For our sins are piled
higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached
to the heavens." Ezra 9:6.
Oh, where shall we fly; where shall we hide our
blushing face but in the blood of
atonement!
sprinkled afresh with which, we may lift up our
heads and not be ashamed.
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