Beloved, let us return to our God this morning, let us confess our sin, deplore our folly, crave His pardon, plead His word, hope in His mercy, and expect the token of reconciliation and love. What an unspeakable mercy to have such a Father! So ready to forgive! So willing to receive! So desirous that we should be happy and blest!
His love is wonderful, His forbearance beyond description. See His arms extended; hear His word inviting; and hasten to be blest. Do not dwell on your miseries, or your wretchedness; they are the effects of your backsliding: but He says, "I will heal your backslidings." "Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for He hath torn, and will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up." His heart is grieved for us, His word invites us, and His love will make us happy.
Father of mercies, God of love! Oh! hear a humble suppliant's cry! Bend from Thy lofty seat above, Thy throne of glorious majesty; Oh, deign to listen to my voice, And bid this drooping heart rejoice.
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.
Beloved, let us return to our God this morning, let us confess our sin, deplore our folly, crave His pardon, plead His word, hope in His mercy, and expect the token of reconciliation and love. What an unspeakable mercy to have such a Father! So ready to forgive! So willing to receive! So desirous that we should be happy and blest!
His love is wonderful, His forbearance beyond description. See His arms extended; hear His word inviting; and hasten to be blest. Do not dwell on your miseries, or your wretchedness; they are the effects of your backsliding: but He says, "I will heal your backslidings." "Come, and let us return unto the Lord; for He hath torn, and will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up." His heart is grieved for us, His word invites us, and His love will make us happy.
Father of mercies, God of love! Oh! hear a humble suppliant's cry! Bend from Thy lofty seat above, Thy throne of glorious majesty; Oh, deign to listen to my voice, And bid this drooping heart rejoice.