A Birthday Meditation

How great has been the Mercy of my God to me—a poor, worthless, ill-deserving worm! I trace His goodness from my birth to the present moment. I was born in a land of Gospel Light—when I might have been born in heathen darkness. I was instructed to read God's Holy Word—when I might have been left like others, in nature's ignorance. I was preserved in Christ Jesus during the years of my unregeneracy, when many who were born about the time I was, have been cut down and consigned to the grave. I was called by the Sovereign Grace of a Covenant God, when running post-haste to eternal destruction! I was taught by the Holy Spirit my sinful state, the value of my soul, the need of a Savior, the way of Escape and the freeness of salvation.

I was given a saving interest in Christ and feel love to His dear name and obtained a knowledge of his saving work. I was kept by His mighty power in the midst of temptations, persecutions and snares, to publish the glad tidings of salvation. I was sent to proclaim to poor sinners round the danger they are in, the glorious salvation of the cross and Jehovah's boundless love. Blessed with many seals to my ministry in different parts of the land and with repeated testimonies of the power of the Word in the hearts of the people of God. I was preserved from my depraved heart, the various errors that lead multitudes astray and the opposition of all my foes.