April 15

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God! thou wilt not despise." — Psalm 11. 17.

THIS is David's penitential psalm. He prays for himself, that he might be pardoned and purified, and for the church, that had been scandalized by his fall. In this passage we are led to contemplate

THE SACRIFICES GOD REQUIRES. "A broken spirit, and a contrite heart." That is,

A heart humbled with a sight of sin. The true penitent is thus abased, when he considers the evil nature, awful defilement, and hateful deformity of sin. The mind must be enlightened before these feelings of contrition are experienced; and this is the work of the Spirit.

A heart wounded under a sense of sin. "A broken spirit" intimates far more than a partial or transient effect produced on the feelings — it is a divine, deep, and durable impression on the heart, and connected with a sincere and cordial return unto God.

A heart tender and docile. The heart of the true penitent yields to the threatenings, and melts under the promises, of God — discovers a simple, childlike, and teachable disposition. What a beautiful ornament is humility! It has been represented as the string that binds together all the precious pearls of the Christian graces, and if it break, they are all scattered.

THE RECEPTION GOD WILL GIVE TO SUCH SACRIFICES. It is here said, he will not despise them. But why?

Because of the sacrifice of his Son. All the legal and ceremonial offerings pointed to, and had their completion in him, in whom alone we can find acceptance before God. Our sacrifices must be offered on the altar of our hearts, and ascend mingled with the much incense of our great High Priest, in order to their reception.

Because of the declarations of his word. Here we have both the precept and the promise. God requires this sacrifice, and would he therefore despise it? The loftiest strains of praise and adoration proceeding from glorified spirits in heaven, are not more acceptable and pleasing to him than the breathings of an humble, pious soul. The most precious promises are made to such. Isaiah 57:15. Let it be my earnest aim to present such an offering to God, encouraged by the assurance that with it he will be well pleased.