"AND BINDETH UP THEIR WOUNDS." The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear Him, for He is gracious and merciful. Sin has so hardened the heart that nothing can effectually impress it but grace. No one feels and mourns over the hardness of the heart, but he whose heart has been softened by the Holy Spirit. Nothing will thoroughly break the heart, but God's forgiving love. When the soul is quickened by the Holy Spirit, sin is exposed, guilt is strong, fear is urgent, and the heart begins to relent; a conflict commences, and much distress is felt before pardon from the Saviour is bestowed. But Satan is busy, unbelief is strong, our knowledge of the gospel is imperfect, repentance is difficult, the heart is oppressed, and the spirit is wounded. When the man is really broken down before God, is willing to submit to God's righteousness, and to embrace salvation all of grace, deliverance is near. The Lord sends His word to heal, applies the balm of the Saviour's blood, speaks peace to the conscience, and sets the sinner free. Reader, if your heart is broken for sin, your God will heal it. Look to the Lord, and hope in His word.

For Meditation:
Nor shall the sinner's hope be vain
Who trusts the goodness of His reign:
Christ Jesus takes him in;
He heals the sinner's contrite heart,
And bids his guilt and fear depart,
Forgives him all his sin.