SIN brings sickness. The believer can only be healthful as he walks with God, lives above the world, and looks for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the feet of Jesus we are safe, and shall be healthy; but if we wander from Him, spiritual diseases will seize upon us. The backslider feels too weak, to run in the way of God's commands; too confused, to read his interest in God's promises; too guilty to call God Father; too wretched to rejoice in hope. He has no liberty in prayer; no enjoyment of his Bible; no peace in his conscience; no delight in God's ways. But the Lord says, Return, ye backsliding children; I WILL HEAL YOUR BACKSLIDINGS. This is a message from the Great PHYSICIAN, an invitation from our Father's throne, a promise of our Saviour's love. Oh, let us return unto Him with weeping and supplication, adopting David's prayer as our own, Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Let us take up the determination of the church, Behold, we come unto Thee, for Thou art the Lord our God. He will receive us graciously, and love us freely.
Give me Thy pardoning love to feel, And freely my backslidings heal, Repair my faith's decay: Restore the sweetness of Thy grace, Reveal the glories of Thy face And take my sins away.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
SIN brings sickness. The believer can only be healthful as he walks with God, lives above the world, and looks for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the feet of Jesus we are safe, and shall be healthy; but if we wander from Him, spiritual diseases will seize upon us. The backslider feels too weak, to run in the way of God's commands; too confused, to read his interest in God's promises; too guilty to call God Father; too wretched to rejoice in hope. He has no liberty in prayer; no enjoyment of his Bible; no peace in his conscience; no delight in God's ways. But the Lord says, Return, ye backsliding children; I WILL HEAL YOUR BACKSLIDINGS. This is a message from the Great PHYSICIAN, an invitation from our Father's throne, a promise of our Saviour's love. Oh, let us return unto Him with weeping and supplication, adopting David's prayer as our own, Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Let us take up the determination of the church, Behold, we come unto Thee, for Thou art the Lord our God. He will receive us graciously, and love us freely.
Give me Thy pardoning love to feel, And freely my backslidings heal, Repair my faith's decay: Restore the sweetness of Thy grace, Reveal the glories of Thy face And take my sins away.