Morning & Evening Devotional Reading– June 14– Evening

by Charles H. Spurgeon, Revised and Edited by William C. Neff

“O Lord, we endure open shame… because we have sinned against you.”

–Daniel 9:8

When we have a deep sense of our sin, its heinousness, and the punishment which it deserves, it should make us lie low before the throne of God.

How have we sinned as Christians? We have been highly favored, and yet have been ungrateful; we have been privileged beyond most, and we have not brought forth fruit in proportion. Who among us, having been long engaged in Christian warfare, will not blush when he looks back upon the past? I’m not talking about 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 the light and love of God. His light has penetrated our minds, and in His love we have rejoiced. How atrocious is the sin committed by a pardoned soul! An unpardoned sinner sins cheaply compared with the sin of God’s chosen ones, who have known communion with Christ.

Look at David! Many will talk of his sin, but I pray you look at his repentance. Here his broken bones, as each one of them moans out its tearful confession! Count his tears as they fall upon the ground and the deep sighs with which he accompanies the softened music of his harp! We have sinned; so, let us seek the spirit of penitence.

Look also at Peter! We speak much of Peter’s denying his Master. It says, “He wept bitterly.” Since we have denied our Lord, aren’t there tears we ought to shed in sorrow? Sadly, these sins of ours– before and after conversion– would consign us to the place of inextinguishable fire if it were not for the sovereign mercy which has set up apart. We have been snatched like brands from a burning fire.

My soul, bow down under a sense of your natural sinfulness, and worship your God. Admire the grace that saves you–the mercy which spares you—and the love which pardons you!” [M&E]