123. Perfect Restoration.

I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am the Lord their God, and will hear them. - Zechariah 10:6.

THE manner in which hope can come to sinners: "I have mercy upon them." Mercy abides in the heart of God even after the hope of it has left the human bosom.

The token that God's mercy is coming, and that it is indeed come, is prayer. "Behold he prayeth" is the sure indication of coming deliverance (Acts 9:11).

God had observed prayer in them, for he said, "I will hear them." The result of mercy's coming is exceedingly delightful: "They shall be as though I had not cast them off."

This promise may be applied:

I. IN GENERAL, TO ALL PENITENT SINNERS.

God's mercy in many ways restores men to their lost position: and in some senses even to their pristine condition before the fall.

1. The forgiveness of sin, and justification by faith, make them as acceptable as if they had never transgressed.

2. The renovation of nature, by the regenerating work of the Holy Ghost, creates in them as pure an inner life as Adam ever had.

3. Restoration to paradise. Even now we dwell with God in a blessed state, for the Lord hath raised us to the heavenlies in Christ.

4. Redemption from the curse. The curse is clean gone forever, through him who was made a curse for us (Gal. 3:13) The anger of God is removed from us forever.

5. Engagement in service. We are honorably employed, and could not have been more so had we never sinned.

6. Communion with God. This we enjoy as truly as unfallen humanity could have done. Indeed, the Spirit of God dwells in the regenerate, and this is not said of Adam.

7. Eternal life. We are preserved from penal death. As Jesus lives so must we (John 14:19). There is no fear that we shall eat and die, for the Lord has given us eternal life, and we shall never perish (John 10:28).

The further working out of the likeness between the state of the saved and that of Adam in the garden, may be made highly instructive.

II. IN PARTICULAR, TO PENITENT BACKSLIDERS. Only return unto God, and live in his fear, and you shall enjoy all the blessedness of your best spiritual state.

You shall again enjoy—

1. The complete removal of your guilt, and shall have no more consciousness of sin; thus shall you return to rest of soul.

2. Renewed joy, as in the days of your first love.

3. Restored purity of heart, as in the times before you wandered.

4. Fresh communion with God, and guidance from his Holy Spirit. Is not this your cry, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me?" (Ps. 51:11).

5. New usefulness. You shall teach transgressors the pardoning ways of Jehovah (Ps. 51:13 ).

6. Restoration to the church, from which you may have been excluded. Your brethren will rejoice over you, and so will your God.

7. Future upholding. You shall watch against temptation all the more earnestly, and so you shall stand the more firmly through grace. God can make use of your unhappy fall to teach you many precious lessons.

Suppose this invitation to turn unto the Lord should be refused—

· It will be a wanton rejection of generous love.

· There can never be a fairer offer.

· This will increase the uneasiness of a guilty conscience.

· This will lead to the fear that the refuser is not one of the Lord's chosen.

But we hope better things of you, and things which accompany salvation, though we thus speak. We are jealous lest you miss the day of grace.

At once confess your sin, and humbly plead the word of the Lord, "I have mercy upon them."

Then cry out in prayer, for it is written, "I will hear them."

Then, in faith in the name of Jesus, hang upon the promise, "They shall be as though I had not cast them off."

By the mercy of God, we entreat you to seek his face at once, with true heart, and resolute importunity.