His Power Not Ours

It is dangerous to look for that from ourselves which we must have from Christ. We are but subordinate agents, moving as we are moved, and working as we are first wrought upon, free in so far as we are freed, no wiser nor stronger than he makes us to be. It is his Spirit who actuates and enlivens, and applies that knowledge and strength we have, or else it fails and lies useless in us. Dependent spirits are the wisest and the ablest. Nothing is stronger than humility, which goes out of itself; nothing is weaker than pride, which rests on its own foundation. We naturally aspire to a kind of divinity in our own strength; but Christ says, 'Without me you,' the apostles, who were in a state of grace, 'can do nothing' (John 15:5). He does not say, you can do a little, but nothing. Of ourselves, how easily are we overcome! How weak we are to resist! We shake at the very noise and thought of poverty, disgrace, or losses. We have no power over our eyes, tongues, thoughts, or affections, but let sin pass in and out. Therefore in all, especially difficult encounters, let us lift up our hearts to Christ, who has Spirit enough for us all, in all our troubles, and say with good Jehoshaphat, 'We are powerless ... neither do we know what to do: but our eyes are upon you’ (2 Chron. 20:12). ‘The battle we fight is yours, and the strength whereby we fight must be yours. If you go not out with us, we are sure to fall.' Satan knows that nothing can prevail against Christ, or those that rely upon his power. His study is how to keep us in ourselves. But we must carry this always in our minds, that that which is begun in self-confidence ends in shame. We know where to obtain power, and to whom to return the praise. It is our happiness that it is so safely hid in Christ, in one so near to God and us.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
The Bruised Reed, pp. 114-17 [128-31]
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