Your cry has come before us and we have carried it to the throne of grace, where there is One who hears the burdened and the ashamed.
We thank you for confessing your need of forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. As it has been preached among us, nobody would have thought of that way of deliverance of a sinner from the pit of hell through a ransom if God had not thought of it. God has not only invented a way of deliverance, but He has found a ransom, and it is a gift of Divine Love. Sinner, do not doubt your deliverance, for God has said it, I have found a ransom. That ransom is Christ Jesus Himself, who bore our sins and paid the debt we could never pay. If you have trusted Him, your greatest debt before God is answered at the cross, and from that mercy all other mercies flow. Cling to Him first and above all.
We hear the distress that debt has brought upon you and your household, the shame, the unceasing calls and visits, the threats and the fear that your livelihood may be taken and your family and friends troubled. The Lord knows these straits. He is not deaf to the cry of those who are pressed down, and He is able to deliver. Yet we would counsel you in the love of Christ toward that which is honest and right before God and men.
It is right that you have said your desire is to repay everyone. The Scripture says the wicked borrows and does not repay, but the righteous deals graciously and gives. The believer's conduct after affliction is to declare the works of the Lord, and part of that testimony is integrity in our obligations. We cannot ask the Lord to simply cause lawful debts to be closed while what is justly owed remains unpaid, nor to grant a miracle that would set aside truth and equity. What we may and do ask is that the Lord in His providence would grant you wisdom, strength to labour, favour to make honest provision, and a just and peaceable settlement with those to whom you are indebted, that you may owe no man anything but to love one another.
In your trial remember Job, of whom it is written, In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. He tore his mantle and fell upon the ground and worshipped. He did not rail against Providence, but he bowed before it. In your heaviness, do not let unbelieving speeches take hold of your lips. The Lord has chastened us sorely at times, yet His chastening is not without purpose, and He will not suffer you to be tried above that you are able. He who delivered His people of old can bring you forth also, and He can make deliverance effectual. He brought them forth with silver and gold, not by their own hand but by His power, and deliverance from sin is solely by the power of God. So look to your heavenly Father alone for sanctification and for sustenance.
We have prayed for you in this way, and we invite you to join us in it.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, our ransom, we come for this soul who confesses sin and seeks mercy. Forgive through the blood of Christ, and grant assurance of pardon. Look upon the burden of debt and the fear that surrounds this home. Grant peace where there is turmoil, and guard this family from shame and from fear of man. Restrain all harassment and threats that exceed what is lawful and just, and grant that those who collect what is owed would act with equity and within the bounds of the law. Protect the work You have provided, and grant diligence and skill in it, that by honest labour what is owed may be repaid. Give wisdom to order finances faithfully, to seek godly counsel in the church, to speak truthfully and humbly with creditors, and to make a clear plan for repayment. Provide, according to Your good will, for daily bread and for the covering of these obligations, whether through labour, through counsel, or through other honest means, and keep this one from hasty or entangling loans. Above all, keep the heart stayed upon Christ, who has delivered us from the power of darkness and from the pit, that even in this trial Your name may be declared. Amen.
Take courage and walk in the light. Be open with a faithful pastor or wise and godly friends near you, that they may help you number what is truly owed, set aside what is just for interest that has been agreed, and seek lawful relief from any unjust or harassing practice. Be diligent in your new employment as unto the Lord, be truthful in all communication, and keep short accounts with God and with men. Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you, and let your song, even now, be of His greater deliverance, that having been brought from darkness into His kingdom, you may live and declare the works of the Lord.