TRULY IN THE LORD OUR GOD IS SALVATION. In Him alone is vigour and vitality. The believer can only be healthy 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 appreciate 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. O 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.

For Meditation:
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.