Psalms 51:18-19

Psalms 51:18-19. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Notice this. David felt that he had done something to pull down the walls of Zion. His bad example would do mischief to the cause of God; and his prayer to be forgiven is not a selfish one, which deals only with his own particular blessing, or his own desire for mercy. He wants the church to prosper; he wants God’s work to go on; and so he cannot close the prayer, even of a penitent and broken heart, without crying, "Build thou the walls of Jerusalem." In proportion as we think less of ourselves we shall think more of the church of God, and more of the work of God in the land. To despise yourself is the way to honour God and his people. But when you honour yourself, you will first despise others, and it will go on by degrees to a dishonouring of God himself from which may the Lord save us!

This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 51. and Romans 7:7-25.