Hope
For The Hopeless
Let
the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let
him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God,
for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Isa. 55:7, 8.
It is your
thought that your mistakes and transgressions have been so grievous that the
Lord will not have respect unto your prayers, and will bless and save you.
. . . The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your
own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be
seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. But do not be discouraged.
This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that
the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you, and your indifference
and unconcern are passing away.
No deep-seated
love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not see and realize its own
sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by grace will admire His divine character;
but if we do not see our own moral deformity, it is unmistakable evidence
that we have not had a view of the beauty and excellence of Christ. The less
we see to esteem in ourselves, the more we shall see to esteem in the infinite
purity and loveliness of our Saviour. A view of our own sinfulness drives
us to Him who can pardon....
God does
not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His thoughts are thoughts
of mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. “He will abundantly pardon.”
He says, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions.”
. . .
Look up,
you who are tried, tempted, and discouraged, look up.... It is ever safe to
look up; it is fatal to look down. If you look down, the earth reels and sways
beneath you; nothing is sure. But heaven above you is calm and steady, and
there is divine aid for every climber. The hand of the Infinite is reaching
over the battlements of heaven to grasp yours in its strong embrace. The mighty
Helper is nigh to bless, lift up, and encourage the most erring, the most
sinful, if they will look to Him by faith. But the sinner must look up
From
Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 90, 91.
