And sinners shall be converted unto Thee

1 And sinners shall be converted unto Thee/ — Ver. 135.

WE have seen that David had sinned deeply, and still felt his fall keenly. If there was any one who had reason to stand ashamed, never to trust himself, and to be silent, it was David. If there was any one who had reason to say that he did not know to what plight he might yet come, it was David. And if there was any one who had reason to say that, by his unfaithfulness and the reproach which he had brought on his earlier profession, he had no right to speak, and no one was under an obligation to listen to him, and that on account of his sin his words would be stripped of all force, it was David. How exalted he had been in other days, and how deeply had he fallen now. But no: in this Psalm David is in converse with God and His grace: in his prayer he already anticipates the glory of God’s grace. He feels that the grace of God is more powerful than his sin, and that as grace could take away his sin before God, so also it could bring it about that his sin should not prevent his access to men. He feels that if grace had redeemed him, the chief of sinners, and had shown its great goodness to him, it would also be prepared to make use of him as a blessing to others. And therefore he not only promises: 6 1 will teach transgressors Thy ways,’ but also believes that God will certainly bless his work: ‘Sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’ He trusts in grace for others, even as for himself. The grace which has blessed him will make him a blessing. ‘I will teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’

It may be easily conceived what a power there must be in such a confidence that there shall be blessing upon our work. AVith what spirit, with what pleasure, will one work in the sure prospect that God will give the increase. And the great question for us must be this: how shall we succeed in cherishing this believing persuasion? Let us consider carefully on what foundation it rests.

Remember, first of all, that conversion is given in the use of means. 6 1 will teach transgressors; sinners shall he converted.’ It is not enough to mourn over the poor unbelieving world. It is not even enough to pray for the conversion of sinners. Something more is necessary. They must be taught. And this teaching must not simply be dispensed on the Lord’s day, or be handed over to the preachers of the gospel: every believer must within his own

HAVE MERCY UPO]ST ME.

circle faithfully perform and carry out the promise of the text. On the back of the prayer: ‘Have mercy upon me,’ must the promise follow: ‘I will teach ‘; God is faithful to grant conversion. Oh what a marvelous change would take place in a congregation, if, with all wisdom and perseverance, unanimously and continuously, every believer were a witness for God: the faithful use of means would give courage for the expectation: ‘Sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’

Observe, further, in what spirit the means are to be used. David says that, as one who had been pardoned, who had received the forgiveness of God and the joy of His salvation, he will teach transgressors. Oh, it is this that is the chief concern. Alas! how many preachers, and Sabbath-school teachers, and Christian elders and friends are there in whose teaching there is no power, and who never see the f ulfilment of the hope: ‘Sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’ It is not that they are not zealous, or that they do not teach the truth, even the truths of this Psalm; but they do not speak in the living experience of this grace. They teach in the power of a knowledge of the truths of Scripture, or in the power of an earlier spiritual experience. But this is not enough. No, brother: if you would see the teaching and conversion of sinners, there must be in you a living and effective experience of the grace of God. The blotting out of your guilt in a tender and daily use of the blood of Jesus must be the joy of your soul. Your walk in a progressive sanctification must be carried out through the purifying of your heart and the renewing of a steadfast spirit in your inmost life. With the prayer: ‘Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me,5 your whole being must be that of one in whose heart Jesus makes His abode. With the earnest petition: ‘Uphold me with a free spirit,’ the purpose must at every turn be renewed and carried into execution: ‘I will teach transgressors Thy ways.’

This must at least be your effort, your prayer. When, chiming in with the aspiration of this Psalm, you say: ‘Then will I teach,’ you may also surely add: * sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’ Let your teaching of others only be the fruit of indwelling grace: it cannot remain unblessed. Yes, believe: bathe daily in the blood of Jesus; seek daily the anointing of His Spirit; live near to Jesus, and ’ sinners shall be converted.’

And observe especially that this confidence must be nourished and expressed in prayer. David did not look to himself and his power: it was while he was looking up to God in prayer that David uttered that glorious word of faith. And indeed it is no light thing for any suppliant to express such confidence in connection with his work. Many a one would regard and treat it as harsh arrogance, if we were to say to him that this utterance of David’s prayer is not adapted to him. No, brother: if you will only utter the words as David did, they are also for you. Following on the continuous and repeated

HAVE MERCY UPON 3IE.

prayer for grace in all its varied operations; following on the habitual surrender of yourself to the service of the Lord; uttered on the knees, with the eye fixed on this God who has shown to you His effectual grace, — this hope is not too much to cherish: ‘I will teach, and sinners shall be converted.’ And if at the outset you may not altogether succeed in using these words in full faith, then take the utterance again into your lips, express the hope again on your knees to Him who sits on the throne of grace; only begin with the first starting-point: ‘Have mercy upon me, O God,’ and climb this wonderful ladder of prayer by the various steps of the spiritual life; make sure of each stage in your own heart by the way until you come to this: ‘I will teach transgressors ‘; and the Spirit of prayer, who has taught you to use all the other petitions, will not break off His work at this point: He will enable yon to utter this word also with increasing confidence: ‘Sinners shall be converted unto Thee? And just as prayer and conflict became the power that led to the utterance of this word, so shall this word in return become your power to say to sinners: ‘Sinners shall be converted; I will teach transgressors.’

‘Have mercy upon me, O God. Then will I teach transgressors; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.’