I AM MERCIFUL, SAITH THE LORD

 

I am merciful, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 3:12

 
THIS is the encouragement given to backsliders to return.
 
They are invited and exhorted to come back, and
  lest guilt should discourage them,
  Satan tempt them, or
  their own hearts misgive them, and
  they conclude, “It is no use,” God says,
     “Return, for I am merciful.”
 
Our merciful God will glorify his mercy in our experience.
 
He will pardon our sins;
  break our hearts with a sense of his love;
  humble us in the dust before his throne;
  make us loathe ourselves on account of our iniquities;
  restore unto us the joy of his salvation,
    and give us peace.
 
Backslider, thy God calls thee to come back.
 
Do not hesitate or be afraid,
  for he is merciful.
He will lovingly receive you.
He will readily pardon you.
 
He will rejoice over you,
  as the shepherd over the sheep he had lost; or
  the parent over the prodigal,
  who has returned to his forsaken home.
 
Take with you words and return unto the Lord without delay.
 
And let us all take encouragement from this fact,
  and come to the Lord this day for all we want.
 
He is merciful and therefore he will receive us,
  listen to us, and confer blessings upon us.
 
He even delighteth in mercy.
 

Return, ye wandering souls, return;

The Lord your misery knows,

His mercy ever is the same -

A balm for all your woes.

 
James Smith 1849