Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up (Hosea 6:1).
The greatest short story ever written is called the story of the prodigal son, but it's really the story of the forgiving father. He had two prodigal sons--one stayed home, the other went away; but the father was there to forgive. When he saw the long-lost boy a great way off, he was moved with compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him, replaced his rags with the best robe, put the ring of sonship on his finger and shoes of peace upon his feet, and provided the feast of reconciliation. "For," he said, "this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
Read the entire wonderful story again for yourself. In it we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "Come, and let us return unto the Lord." Have you wandered away from Him? Come back, for "he hath torn, and he will heal us." That is God's way. By the pain of our affliction when we wander away from Him, He makes us realize our need of healing.
Remember, the diagnosis of the law comes before the healing of the gospel. "Come unto me," He says, "all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Only the weary seek rest, only the ill seek healing, only the wounded seek help, only the lost desire to be found. And although we may wander in some far country, our heavenly Father says to every one of us, "Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee" (Isa. 44:22).
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore,
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.
__Joseph Hart
MEDITATION PRAYER: "The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses" (Ps. 25:17).
The greatest short story ever written is called the story of the prodigal son, but it's really the story of the forgiving father. He had two prodigal sons--one stayed home, the other went away; but the father was there to forgive. When he saw the long-lost boy a great way off, he was moved with compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him, replaced his rags with the best robe, put the ring of sonship on his finger and shoes of peace upon his feet, and provided the feast of reconciliation. "For," he said, "this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found."
Read the entire wonderful story again for yourself. In it we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "Come, and let us return unto the Lord." Have you wandered away from Him? Come back, for "he hath torn, and he will heal us." That is God's way. By the pain of our affliction when we wander away from Him, He makes us realize our need of healing.
Remember, the diagnosis of the law comes before the healing of the gospel. "Come unto me," He says, "all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matt. 11:28). Only the weary seek rest, only the ill seek healing, only the wounded seek help, only the lost desire to be found. And although we may wander in some far country, our heavenly Father says to every one of us, "Return unto me; for I have redeemed thee" (Isa. 44:22).
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore,
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.
__Joseph Hart
MEDITATION PRAYER: "The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses" (Ps. 25:17).
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