Write This Inscription in Its Place

Appealing to Your character
O God, I fall before Your face
In hopes that, in persistent prayer,
I may receive Your grace.
To bless Your children, You delight
And by your mercy, show Your might.

I have the sin of arrogance
Which rots in every joint and bone
I pilfer glory from Your name
And praise, instead, my own.
It is, perhaps, the greatest sin
Which robs the honor that You win.

But, worse, this pride is in my love
For You, which I pretend is great.
Thus says my heart, “Come, all, and see
My righteous, fervent state!”
Oh make me see that any love
Though mine, is all of grace above.

How well this vice does hinder all
That I attempt to do for You,
For every time You work through me
I must fight it anew.
I long for cleansing from pride’s stains
But more, for freedom from its chains

Excise with knife this hateful sin
And when that bloody work is through
Write this inscription in its place:
“I have all things from You.”
That man is blessed who has believed
That all he has, he has received.