My Foolishness by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 16, 1904

My Foolishness

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

PRIDE comes because men and women regard themselves better than they really are. Down in their hearts they often know they are not what they desire to have people think them to be. But however well or long we may be able to hide from men the true condition of the soul, God knows it all, and knows it all the time. This truth, kept ever in mind, would result in constant and true humility.

The psalmist exclaimed: “O God, thou knowest my foolishness,” and my sins are not hid from thee.” Ps. 69: 5. Surely the thought that God knows all about the foolishness of our lives is humiliating. We try sometimes to flatter ourselves that he does not see it all, but he does. How offensive pride must be to God! This flattery of the human heart of excusing in ourselves our departures from the right—our foolishness—and magnifying our virtues, is pride, and an insult to God. It is the remembering that we are but dust, that helps us constantly to rely on God; and it is this constant dependence upon him that gives him pleasure and us peace. Thus we are prepared to render to him all the glory for benefits received.

God knows all about our entrusted talents. He knows also the use made of them. He knows our foolishness. Let us not forget this. He is gracious to those who humble themselves to walk with him, but mighty to bring down every high look.

“Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. . . . It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Lam. 3: 19-26.