Daily Devotionals

John Gossner's Treasury

Devotional: July 23rd

Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. Isaiah 31:6. For I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever. Jeremiah 3:12. Turn ye unto me, and I will turn unto you. Zechariah 1:3. As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Ezekiel 33:11. Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luke 15:7.

Satan says to you, unfaithful and fallen brother, ’God cares no longer for you; the children of God will no longer recognize you. " But God says, "Turn, turn unto me; I will help you; I will redeem you. " Do you prefer to believe the "liar" and the enemy of your soul instead of that Truth and Love which would rather see you redeemed and saved than lost and condemned? God your Savior does not only care for you, but there is also great rejoicing in heaven. ’My angels," says Jesus, ’’rejoice as much and more over you than over ninety and nine who are not fallen away but have remained faithful after their conversion. " "But my sin is too gross; I have so often forsaken my Savior. " The greater will be His joy and the joy of His angels when they find that which was lost, when at last you turn to Him in such true repentance that nothing can separate you from Him any more. He will this time grant you all the more grace, that you may remain steadfast, and that He may not again lose His sheep which was lost and is found. That which keeps the fallen sinner from repentance, usually also keeps the pious from again seeking the face of the Lord and returning to communion with Him when he has stepped aside from the narrow way and forgotten himself. "As I am now, with such a distracted and unfaithful heart, I dare not come unto Him," he thinks; "I must wait until I become better. " My friend, the same liar and murderer inspires this thought that deceives the fallen and keeps him from true repentance. For the Savior always says, "Come unto me, all. " The longer you remain away, the worse you grow. The Savior is not willing that any one shall be lost but that all should return to Him; thus He writes to you in 2 Peter 3:9, "Return unto me thou who hast turned away, thou who art scattered, and I shall gather thee and keep thee out of thy distraction. I shall return unto thee. " Thus He speaks to you in Isaiah 44:22 and in Zechariah 1:3. May you read what the Lord here writes to you.

Jesus sinners doth receive!

What though Satan’s rage assail me?

I of him ask no reprieve,

This assurance will avail me;

I am safe while I believe;

Jesus sinners doth receive.