"HOPE ONLY IN GOD." Here is hope expressed. But the Lord had turned away His face from His people. He was displeased. There were now no sweet visits, no love tokens, no intimate communion. But He threatens, He frowns, He smites. He shows His displeasure. He is angry but not wrathful. He has sworn that He will not be wroth with us. "He will turn again." Here confidence is expressed. He smites but to correct. He frowns but to bring us to repentance. He will turn again and look upon us, as He did on Peter when he denied the Lord, and brought him back with weeping and repentance. He will speak to us as he did to Mary, when he said, "Thy sins are forgiven thee, go in peace." He will smile away our fears, take us to his bosom, and reassure us of His love. He will, for He has promised to do so. He will, for He has always done so. He will, for His heart of love prompts Him to do so. He will, for He delighteth in mercy. Then let us mourn over our follies, but not despair of pardon. Let us confess our backslidings, and expect Him to return. Let us wait upon the Lord, who hideth Himself but for a time. Let us look for Him in love. He will turn again. Saviour, while after Thee we mourn,

For Meditation:
Thou wilt compassion shew;
In mercy to our souls return,
And all our sins subdue.