HE WILL TURN AGAIN

 EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JULY 8

 

Micah 7:19

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all

their sins into the depths of the sea.

 
Here is a melancholy fact intimated.
 
The Lord had turned away his face from his people.
 
He was displeased. There were now no sweet visits. No love-tokens. No intimate communion.
 
But he threatens.
 
He frowns.
 
He smites.
 
He shows his displeasure.
 
He is angry, but not wrathful.
 
He has sworn that he will not be wroth with us.
 
“He will turn again.”
 
Here confidence is expressed.
 
He smites but to correct.
 
He frowns but to bring us to repentance.
 
He will turn again and look upon us, as he did on Peter when he broke his heart, and brought him back with weeping and supplication.
 
He will speak to us as he did to Mary, when he said, “Thy sins are forgiven thee, go in peace.”
 
He will smile away our fears, take us to his bosom, and again assure us of his love.
 
He will, for he has promised to do so.
 
He will, for he has always done so.
 
He will, for the love of his heart prompts him to do so.
 
He will, for he delighteth in mercy.
 
Then let us mourn over our follies, but not despair of pardon.
 
Let us confess our backsliding, and expect him to return.
 
Let us wait upon the Lord, who hideth himself from the house of Israel, and let us look for him.
 

Saviour, while after thee we mourn,

Thou wilt compassion shew,

In mercy to our souls return,

And all our sins subdue.

 
James Smith