Seeing Yourself in the Worst of Characters

When Israel heard the fiery law,

From Sinai’s top proclaimed;

Their hearts seemed full of holy awe,

Their stubborn spirits tamed.

 

Yet, as forgetting all they knew,

Ere forty days were past;

With blazing Sinai still in view,

A molten calf they cast.

 

Yea, Aaron, God’s anointed priest,

Who on the mount had been

He durst prepare the idol–beast,

And lead them on to sin.

 

LORD, what is man! and what are we,

To recompense thee thus!

In their offence our own we see,

Their story points at us.

 

From Sinai we have heard thee speak,

And from mount Calv’ry too;

And yet to idols oft we seek,

While thou art in our view.

 

Some golden calf, or golden dream,

Some fancied creature–good,

Presumes to share the heart with him,

Who bought the whole with blood.

 

LORD, save us from our golden calves,

Our sin with grief we own;

We would no more be thine by halves,

But live to thee alone.

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One of the keys to understanding Newton is to understand the way that he interpreted Scripture.  If we are not cautious it is easy to read stories of bad characters of the Bible, turn our nose to them, attempt to not be like them, and never look at our own hearts. 

Newton was careful to see himself in the worst of characters.  Notice in the fourth stanza how Newton says, “in their offence our own we see, their story points at us”.  This is typical Newton.  And this is what caused him to remain humble and to drink deeply of grace. 

So, keep this in mind as your read through Scripture.  When you read of David’s sin against Bathsheba know that it is only grace and/or opportunity that separates you from his fall.  The only thing that will hold a David, and the only thing that will hold you, is the Christ-given Spirit of God.