For Thy name's sake

"For Thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great." -Psalm 25:11 [KJV]

Strange plea! Great is mine iniquity, therefore pardon it! Such an address at a throne of grace, never arose from a self-righteous heart. No: with the Pharisee of old, such are ready to say, “Thank God I am not such a sinner as David was: I never committed the horrid crimes of murder and adultery: his iniquity was great indeed.” It was so; but souls, enlightened by the word of truth, to see the spirituality of the holy law of God, will agree to our Saviour’s comment upon it, that lust is adultery in the heart, and anger a species of murder in the soul (Matthew 5:28.) “Out of the heart proceed murders, adulteries,” etc. (ch. 15:19.) 

Sensible of the desperate wickedness of our heart, convinced of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, who will dare plead, Pardon mine iniquity, for it is little? Is it against a little God, sin is committed? Is it a little wrath revealed against sin? Did a little Christ die for us? Is a little hell the punishment of sin? Lord forbid that we should think little of sin, or that iniquity should appear little in our eyes! The iniquity of each of us all is great. O! says a poor, sin-burdened soul, mine iniquity is great, too great to be forgiven. So the father of lies might suggest to David: but he believed him not. 

Great as his iniquity was, he did not aggravate his crimes, by rejecting God’s declaration of mercy, invitations of grace, and promises of pardon. He confesses his great iniquity: he pleads pardon for it. On what does he found his plea? “For Thy name’s sake, O Lord!” Thou hast taken upon thee that precious name, JESUS. “Thou wilt be salvation to the ends of the earth” (Psalm 98:3.) Thy blood cleanseth from all sin: wash me in it, and I shall be whiter than snow. ALL manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men. 

O! while these glorious truths stand upon record, I cannot doubt—I dare not despair. The belief of them causes me to pray, and plead, and hope. Great as mine iniquity is, great as my distress is; yet Thou art a great God and Saviour, to pardon my sin and give peace to my soul. Was ever any sinner sent to hell with such a plea in his mouth? No: that is impossible. For the word of God cannot be broken, which says, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (I John 1:9.) 

Therefore, heaven resounds with acclamations of joy from such pardoned, glorified sinners. O that we may join them in giving glory unto Him Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5.)

No sin however great, 

Shall keep me from my God: 

For Christ’s salvation is complete; 

I’ll plead His cleansing blood. 

Pardon, O Lord, my soul, 

Bring comfort to my mind; 

O! make my wounded spirit whole, 

And cause me joy to find.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)