456. Wednesday after Twenty-sixth Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, give us humble hearts
which hunger after thy grace!
Let thy Spirit by means of the word
accomplish this in us. Amen.
Isaiah 57, 15-21. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
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God is wroth with his proud and disobedient children. He smites them; but they increase their transgressions, and go on frowardly in the way of their heart. It may take a long time; and yet the prodigal son may come at last, and humble himself before his God. There is no peace to him who is separated from the Lord; the worm gnaws at his heart. Under the smooth surface is unrest; and ere you are aware of it, the troubled sea casts up mire and dirt. But when the wretched man humbles himself, the Lord comes in to him, and heals him. The Lord has established his throne in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit. He is the Holy One, high above all sin, the perfection of purity; and yet he dwells in the souls of miserable sinners. If any would come very near to God, let him become less than the least in himself! “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” O ye men, dust and ashes, unclean and wicked; humble yourselves, humble yourselves; know your misery, and give the Lord honor; then shall he gloriously exalt you. With love inconceivable he has fashioned the human heart in such a way that he may dwell in it, and it in him; but humility is the only door through which the high and lofty One enters our heart. — Lord, thou delightest not in the strength of a man; but thou takest pleasure in them that fear thee, in those that hope in thy mercy. Give me a humble heart and a simple and lowly spirit. Alas, my pride and my perverted mind! Lord, create humility and a living fear of God in my soul; so shall I in thee have much mercy and peace. Amen.*
Lord, forever at thy side
Let my place and portion be!
Strip me of the robe of pride,
Clothe me with humility.
Meekly may our soul receive
All thy Spirit hath revealed.
Thou hast spoken; — I believe,
Though the prophecy were sealed.
[suggested tune: Light Divine, TLH 234; listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.