Hope For The Hopeless

[Thompson, Darryl]

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Ellen G. White Estate, Devotional for April 2
Visit us at http://www.whiteestate.org
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Hope For The Hopeless

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and
to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your
thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Isa. 55:7, 8.

It is your thought that your mistakes and transgressions have been so
grievous that the Lord will not have respect unto your prayers, and will
bless and save you. . . . The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty
you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and
your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His
perfect nature. But do not be discouraged. This is evidence that Satan's
delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the
Spirit of God is arousing you, and your indifference and unconcern are
passing away.

No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not see
and realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by grace
will admire His divine character; but if we do not see our own moral
deformity, it is unmistakable evidence that we have not had a view of
the beauty and excellence of Christ. The less we see to esteem in
ourselves, the more we shall see to esteem in the infinite purity and
loveliness of our Saviour. A view of our own sinfulness drives us to Him
who can pardon....

God does not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His
thoughts are thoughts of mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. "He will
abundantly pardon." He says, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy
transgressions." . . . 

Look up, you who are tried, tempted, and discouraged, look up.... It is
ever safe to look up; it is fatal to look down. If you look down, the
earth reels and sways beneath you; nothing is sure. But heaven above you
is calm and steady, and there is divine aid for every climber. The hand
of the Infinite is reaching over the battlements of heaven to grasp
yours in its strong embrace. The mighty Helper is nigh to bless, lift
up, and encourage the most erring, the most sinful, if they will look to
Him by faith. But the sinner must look up

>From Devotional: Our Father Cares, pp. 90, 91.