I Am of Small Account; What Shall I
The sermon emphasizes the importance of humility, silence, and meditation in the Christian life, encouraging listeners to recognize their own insignificance before God and seek a deeper connection with Him.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of humility and silence in our relationship with God, reflecting on Job's acknowledgment of his smallness before the Almighty. He contrasts the pride of self-defense with the nobility found in recognizing our limitations and the need for God's presence. Meyer encourages believers to embrace stillness and meditation, suggesting that true peace is found in solitude with God rather than in the company of others. He highlights the value of listening to God rather than engaging in arguments or complaints, advocating for a life focused on divine communion.
Text
I am of small account; what shall I
answer Thee? I lay mine hand upon my mouth. Job xl. 4.
WHAT a different tone is here! This is be who so vehemently protested his innocence, and defended himself against the attacks of his accusers. The Master is come, and the servant who had contended with his fellows takes a lowly place of humility and silence.
The first step in the noblest life, possible to any of us, is to learn and say that we are of small account. We may learn it by successive and perpetual failures which abash and confound us. It is better to learn it by seeing the light of God rise in majesty above the loftiest of earth's mountains. "When I was young," said Gounod to a friend, "I used to talk of 'I and Mozart.' Later I said, 'Mozart and I.' But now I only say 'Mozart."' Substitute God, and you have the true story of many a soul.
The next step is to choke back words, and lay the hand on the mouth. Silence and meditation! Not arguing or contending! Not complaining or murmuring! Not cavilling or criticising! But just being still ‑‑ still, that you may feel God near; still, that you may hear Him speak. "Take heed of many words," said George Fox; "keep down, keep low, that nothing may reign in you but life itself."
The greatest saints avoided, when they could, the society of men, and did rather choose to live to God, in secret. A certain one said, "As oft as I have been among men I returned home less a man than I was before. Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto Jesus, thy Beloved. Stay with Him in thy closet, for thou shalt not find elsewhere so great peace." How good it would be to lay our hands on our mouths rather oftener, whether in silence with our fellows, or in the hour of secret prayer!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Humility of the Servant
- A. Recognizing one's small account before God
- B. The importance of humility in the Christian life
- II. The Need for Silence and Meditation
- A. Choking back words and laying the hand on the mouth
- B. The benefits of stillness and quiet before God
- III. The Example of the Greatest Saints
- A. Avoiding the society of men to live a life of secret devotion
- B. The value of solitude and quiet in the Christian life
Key Quotes
“Take heed of many words, keep down, keep low, that nothing may reign in you but life itself.” — F.B. Meyer
“As oft as I have been among men I returned home less a man than I was before.” — F.B. Meyer
“Shut thy door upon thee, and call unto Jesus, thy Beloved. Stay with Him in thy closet, for thou shalt not find elsewhere so great peace.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- Recognize your own insignificance before God and strive for humility in your life.
- Make time for silence and meditation to deepen your connection with God.
- Seek solitude and quiet to avoid distractions and focus on your relationship with God.