William Carey
I know that these words were written by David after the prophet Nathan had given him the bad news that God was quite aware of his great sins. I can relate to the quote given by Dr. Carey below. I only wish I understood it as well as Dr. Carey did. He must have been a very humble and godly man. He was called the “father of modern missions” and you can read more about him here.
CR
“Have mercy upon me, O God.” Ps 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!
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)
I have the hard copy of Mr. Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening,” which gives a devotional for each morning and evening. It is my favorite.
It may be found online HERE.
CR
Wings of the Wind 
Thank you Chris. Very encouraging. Perfect end to the my evening.
You’re welcome, Dawnmarie. Some wouldn’t see this post as encouraging. How do they miss it?
God’s blessings…
Humbling and freeing.
Amen.
Have a great day my friend.
God’s blessings…
You too!
You have done it again. Two great examples of men of God who who knew the weight of sin and its affect. I am reminded what the Apostle Paul wrote for us. “Has that what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful”. Rm 7:8
Until men see by the grace of God that we are dirty faced sinners who have not yet seen our sin as exceedingly sinful. When we see that we are indeed worms God’s mercy is all encompassing.
Men like this inspire me. It is not surprising that both of these men experienced great trials. Just think, someday we will meet these guys. I guess we’ve got eternity so, between praising God, we will then get to meet such men.
You couldn’t have found a more appropriate verse, Manny. “Sin?” the world says. “What is sin?” No wonder man fails when he thinks he progresses.
I was forced to get the internet because my daughter was ill and needed to do school work via online sources. I was afraid of all of the bad stuff. And now I enjoy such wonderful fellowship.
You are a blessing my friend.