Morning, August 29

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"Have mercy upon me, O God."

  Psalm 51:1

   When Dr. Carey was suffering from a dangerous illness, the enquiry was
   made, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you
   select as the text for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel
   that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy to have anything said
   about him; but if a funeral sermon must be preached, let it be from the
   words, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness;
   according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my
   transgressions.'" In the same spirit of humility he directed in his
   will that the following inscription and nothing more should be cut on
   his gravestone:--


   William Carey, Born August 17th, 1761: Died - -

   "A wretched, poor, and helpless worm

   On thy kind arms I fall."

   Only on the footing of free grace can the most experienced and most
   honoured of the saints approach their God. The best of men are
   conscious above all others that they are men at the best. Empty boats
   float high, but heavily laden vessels are low in the water; mere
   professors can boast, but true children of God cry for mercy upon their
   unprofitableness. We have need that the Lord should have mercy upon our
   good works, our prayers, our preachings, our alms-givings, and our
   holiest things. The blood was not only sprinkled upon the doorposts of
   Israel's dwelling houses, but upon the sanctuary, the mercy-seat, and
   the altar, because as sin intrudes into our holiest things, the blood
   of Jesus is needed to purify them from defilement. If mercy be needed
   to be exercised towards our duties, what shall be said of our sins? How
   sweet the remembrance that inexhaustible mercy is waiting to be
   gracious to us, to restore our backslidings, and make our broken bones
   rejoice!