February 5

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. — Jer 2:13 BSB

Nothing is more painful than the memory of having backslidden against a holy and good God. Nothing cuts deeper into a tender conscience than knowing we have sinned against revealed mercy and salvation. It feels like we have insulted the Spirit of grace, like we are trampling underfoot the blood that sanctified us, treating our best Friend worse than His enemies did. These thoughts can weigh so heavily on our minds and consciences that they drive us to despondency and almost strip away our hope.

But the Lord is merciful and compassionate to those who fear Him. He hears the prayers of the destitute and does not despise their cries. He listens to the confessions of a penitent heart and a broken spirit. Though He humbles the proud, He lifts up the lowly. He will never abandon His claim on His people. If He purchased us with His precious blood, He will never allow that purchase to be undone by Satan’s malice or our own wickedness.

How powerful are those words: “You have prostituted yourself with many lovers; yet return to me, says the Lord.” And again, “Turn, O backsliding children, says the Lord, for I am married to you.” “Return, O backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” How can we not respond, “Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God! Truly, salvation cannot be found in the hills or in the multitude of mountains—salvation is found only in the Lord our God” (Jeremiah 3:23).