Verse of the day: Have mercy on me, O God. (Psalm 51. 1)
When William Carey suffered from a serious illness, he was asked, “If this disease is fatal, what passage from the Bible do you choose as a text of the sermon for your funeral service?” he replied, “I feel that a creature as insignificant and miserable as me is not worthy of having something to say about him. But if a funeral sermon is to be preached, let them be the words: “Tell me, O God, according to your goodness; and, according to the multitude of your mercy, erase my transgressions?(Psalm 51. 1). In this same spirit of humility, William Carey ordered, in his will, that the following inscription, and nothing else, be engraved on his tombstone:
- WILLIAM CAREY born August 17.
- 1761? Did he deceas? A worm.
- Unworthy.
- Helpless and sinful.
- In your loving arms.
- I throw myself.
It is only on the basis of grace that the most experienced and honorable saints can approach their God. The most excellent men realize that, at best, they are only men. Empty ships float fast, but loaded ships are slow in the water; Simple faith teachers can boast, but God’s true children ask for mercy, recognizing their indignity. We need the Lord’s compassion for our good works, our prayers, our preaching, our contribution, and our purest things. Blood was sprayed not only on the shoulders of the houses of the Israelites, but also on the sanctuary, the propitiator, and the altar. Since sin is introduced into all our most holy things, the blood of Christ must be sprayed upon them to cleanse them from corruption. If mercy is to be exercised in our works, what about our sins?How sweet it is to remember that an inexhaustible mercy awaits us to give us grace, to restore our apostasies and to brighten our broken bones!