Pride and Providence
From the pen of John Flavel:
“The strength of our unmortified corruption shows itself in our pride and the swelling vanity of our hearts when we have a name and esteem among men. When we are applauded and honoured, when we are admired for any gift or excellence that is in us, this draws forth the pride of the heart and shows the vanity that is in it. ‘As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise’ (Prov. 27:21); i.e., as the furnace will reveal what dross is in the metal when it is melted, so will praise and commendations reveal what pride is in the heart of him that receives them.
[ . . . ] To crucify this corruption Providence takes off the bridle of restraint from ungodly men, and sometimes permits them to traduce the names of God’s servants, as Shimei did David’s. Yea, they fall into disesteem among their friends, as Paul did among the Corinthians; and all this to keep down the swelling of their spirits as the realization of those excellences that are in them. The design of these providences is nothing else but to hide pride from man. Yea, it deserves a special remark, that when some good men have been engaged in a public and eminent work, and have therein, it may be, too much sought for their own applause, God has withheld His usual assistance at such times from them, and caused them so to falter in their work, that they have come off with shame and pity at such times, however ready and prepared they have been at other times. It would be easy to give various remarkable examples to confirm this observation, but I pass on.”
- John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence, 103-04.
O that we would crucify the corruption of self-adulation and man-engendered applause! Lord, give us a vision of Your greatness that we see our nothingness in light of Your glory. Give us a vision of Your holiness, that we would see our sinfulness in light of Your perfection. Give us a vision of the cross, that we would see our helplessness in light of Your mercy. Give us, O Lord, a vision of sovereign grace, that we would see our dependence in light of Your sufficiency. O Lord, give us a vision of Your Son, that we would see our Treasure who alone deserves all the praise.
Tags: 2008 Puritan Reading Challenge, John Flavel, pride, Providence, The Mystery of Providence
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February 26, 2008 at 9:07 pm
AMEN – It seems obvious (by the last 2 entries of your blog) that the Lord used the “True Church” conference and perhaps Paul Washer in particular to really bless, refresh and impassion you Timmy. It shows…and I am encouraged. We all need more of this and it is such music to my soul! Praise His Holy Name!
February 26, 2008 at 9:49 pm
D.L.,
You didn’t know that Timmy Brister is the pseudonym for Paul Washer?
But seriously, thanks for the kind comments. These posts have the target audience – my heart. If it speaks to anyone else, then I praise God. But I know my need for Christ, for humility, for personal discipline, for faithfulness to the gospel, etc.
It is always a good reminder that “apart from Christ we can do nothing” (John 15:5).
March 4, 2008 at 12:53 pm
[...] on Google Reader I noticed a post on Provocations and Pantings on that same topic entitled Pride and Providence. To add to the twists of providence, Timmy Brister was quoting from Flavel’s The Mysteries of [...]