Daniel 9:8 (NIV)
8 We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are
covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.
A deep sense and clear view of sin, its dreadfulness, and
the punishment that it deserves should make us lie low before the throne. We
have sinned as Christians. It is sad that it should be so. We have been
favored, and yet we have been ungrateful; privileged beyond most, but we have
not brought forth fruit in proportion. Who is there, although he may have been
engaged in the Christian warfare for years, who will not blush when he looks
back upon the past? As for our days before we were born again, may they be
forgiven and forgotten; but since then, though we have not sinned as before,
yet we have sinned against light and against love—light that has really
penetrated our minds, and love in which we have rejoiced.
The sin of a pardoned soul is an atrocity! An unpardoned
sinner sins cheaply compared with the sin of one of God's elect, who has had
communion with Christ and leaned upon Him for his comfort. Look at David! Many
will talk of his sin, but I ask you to look at his repentance and hear his
broken bones as each one of them moans out its mournful confession! Consider
his tears as they fall upon the ground, and the deep sighs with which he
accompanies the softened music of his harp!
We have strayed: Let us, therefore, seek the spirit of
penitence. Look again at Peter! We often speak of how he denied Christ.
Remember, it is written, "He wept bitterly." Do we have no
denials of our Lord to be lamented with tears? These sins of ours, before and
after conversion, would consign us to the place of inextinguishable fire if it
were not for God's sovereign mercy, which snatched us like sticks from the
fire.
My soul, bow down under a sense of your natural sinfulness,
and worship your God. Admire the grace that saves you—the mercy that spares
you—the love that pardons you!
Thought for today:
Do I / Can I acknowledge when I am out of step?
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