June 14, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face . . . because we have sinned against Thee." — Daniel 9:8 · KJV

A deep sense and clear sight of sin, its heinousness, and the punishment it deserves should make us lie low before the throne. We have sinned as Christians—alas, that it should be so. Favored as we have been, we have still been ungrateful; privileged beyond most, we have not borne fruit in proportion. Who is there, though he may long have been engaged in the Christian warfare, who will not blush when he looks back on the past? As for our days before we were regenerated, may they be forgiven and forgotten; but since then, though we have not sinned as before, we have sinned against light and against love—light that has truly penetrated our minds, and love in which we have rejoiced. Oh, the atrocity of the sin of a pardoned soul! An unpardoned sinner sins cheaply compared with one of God's own elect, who has had communion with Christ and leaned his head on Jesus' bosom. Look at David! Many will talk of his sin, but I urge you, look at his repentance; hear his broken bones, as each one moans out its sorrowful confession! Mark his tears as they fall to the ground, and the deep sighs with which he accompanies the softened music of his harp! We have erred: let us therefore seek the spirit of penitence. Look again at Peter! We speak much of Peter's denying his Master, but remember, it is written, "He wept bitterly." Have we no denials of our Lord to lament with tears? Alas, these sins of ours, before and after conversion, would consign us to the place of unquenchable fire were it not for the sovereign mercy that has made us to differ, snatching us like brands from the burning. 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!