July 30

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.— Psalms 51:17.

DO I remember that all sincere repentance must begin in the heart, and be manifest in the life in humility, and in true sorrow for sin? Is my heart broken, not in despair, but in deep humiliation for my sins as committed against a holy and loving God? Am I softened under the word of God, and the power of his Holy Spirit; filled with the spirit of obedience to the divine will, brought back, in penitence and faith, to love and serve him?

It is the crushed olive that yields the oil; the pressed grape, that gives forth the wine; and it was the smitten rock that gave the people water. So it is the broken, contrite heart, that is most rich in holiness, and most fragrant in grace.

The bruised reed is an expressive emblem of the soul broken and contrite on account of sin, and weeping and mourning for transgression. Christ will not break it, that is, he will not be unforgiving and cruel. He will heal it, pardon it, and give it strength.— A BARNES.

A broken heart, my God, my King,

Is all the sacrifice I bring.

The God of grace will ne'er despise,

A broken heart for sacrifice.

Thy holy joys, my God, restore,

And guard me that I fall no more!

—WATTS.