TAKE AWAY ALL INIQUITY

 

NOVEMBER 10

 

Hosea 14:2

Take away all iniquity,

 
Nothing troubles a Christian like sin, and there is nothing for which he prays more frequently. Or more heartily, than delivered from its guilt, being justified from all things.
 
But he longs to be delivered from its workings.
 
It annoys, irritates, and distresses him.
 
It darkens his evidences; disturbs his peace; and troubles his conscience; therefore he prays, “Take away all iniquity.”
 
But the prayer is put into the mouth of a backslider by the Lord himself; and it is the first thing he should seek.
 
By iniquity he fell, and by sanctification only can he arise.
 
He fell his own folly, but he can only rise by the Lord’s mercy.
 
And will the Lord take away all iniquity?
 
He will.
 
The guilt of it he will remove by applying the atonement, the power of it by bringing home his word, and the very being of it at death.
 
Let this then be our daily prayer, “Lord, sanctify me wholly, and preserve me whole spirit, soul, and body blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 
And if this flows from our hearts, it proves our regeneration, and will be answered in our complete sanctification, For “faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
 

More than for ease in mortal pain,

For purity I pray;

Whatever trial may remain,

O take my sin away!

 
James Smith