August 29

Morning

Have mercy on me, O God. — Ps 51:1 BSB

When William Carey was suffering from a serious illness, someone asked, "If this sickness should prove fatal, what passage would you choose for your funeral sermon?" He replied, "Oh, I feel that such a poor sinful creature is unworthy of having 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 Your loving-kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies—blot out my transgressions!'"

In the same spirit of humility, he directed in his will that only the following inscription should be engraved on his gravestone: "William Carey, a wretched, poor, and helpless worm—on Your kind arms I fall."

Even the most experienced and honored saints know they can only approach God on the basis of His free grace. The best of men understand better than anyone that they are still just men, with all their flaws and failures. Empty boats float high on the water, but heavily laden vessels sink low. Similarly, those who are merely religious without true faith may boast, while genuine believers cry out for mercy over their shortcomings.

We need the Lord’s mercy even in our best efforts—our prayers, our preaching, our giving, and our most holy actions. In the Old Testament, blood was sprinkled not only on the doorposts of the Israelites' homes but also on the sanctuary, the mercy seat, and the altar, because even in our holiest moments, sin is present. If mercy is needed for our most righteous deeds, how much more for our sins! What a comfort to remember that God’s inexhaustible mercy is always ready to restore us and make us rejoice again, even after we have strayed.

Evening

All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. — Num 6:4 BSB

The Nazirites took vows that, among other things, prohibited them from drinking wine. To ensure they upheld their vow, they were forbidden not only from drinking fermented wine but also from eating grapes or raisins. In fact, they were to avoid anything connected to the grapevine, even the appearance of evil.

This is a valuable lesson for those of us who are set apart for God. We are called to separate ourselves from sin in all its forms, not just its most obvious manifestations, but even from the appearance of wrongdoing. Strict living may be looked down upon in today’s world, but it is both the safest and the most fulfilling way to live. Compromising even a little with the world is a dangerous path. If we eat the grapes of Sodom, we will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah!

A small crack in a dam can lead to a flood that destroys an entire town. In the same way, even small compromises with worldly ways make us more vulnerable to greater sins. Furthermore, just as the Nazirite couldn’t be completely sure whether some grape juice had started to ferment, so a Christian who compromises with the world can’t maintain a clear conscience. We shouldn’t hesitate over "doubtful" things; if it’s doubtful, it’s wrong for us. We must not linger around temptations but flee from them. Better to be mocked as overly strict than to be condemned as a hypocrite.

Walking carefully and avoiding sin may require self-denial, but it brings blessings that far outweigh any sacrifices.