Spurgeon
Beloved of All
Your honest and trembling prayer has been heard, and I thank you for pouring out your heart so plainly before the Lord. You fear that you have not been enough for others and not enough for God, that your rudeness and moodiness have pushed others away, and that the Lord perhaps does not hear you at all. Let that fear be answered at once by the Word of God, for there is forgiveness with Him.
Do you tremble and shake for fear, and with a penitent heart desire forgiveness, then hear this blessed whisper which drives away despair, There is forgiveness. There is forgiveness with God, and that forgiveness is divine. It is not the forgiveness of a fellow creature which you might seek in vain, but I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions. It is surprising forgiveness, so surprising that the Lord repeats it, I, even I, lest any of us should doubt it. And it is complete forgiveness. When a soul trusts in Christ, sin is so entirely gone that it is as though it had never been. It is not forgiveness up to a certain point or up to a certain date, but a full and eternal forgiveness through Jesus Christ His Son, who died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.
You say you are scared you will never be enough, especially for Him. Hear then that forgiveness is not given because you are enough, but because Christ is enough. You need not bring a payment to your great Creditor, for you have nothing to pay with. You are to come as you are and put your trust in Christ, and the Lord promises oblivion to all your debt. Him that cometh to Me, He says, I will in no wise cast out. Do as Luther did when in dark distress, and say with the Creed, I believe in the forgiveness of sins, and believe in that forgiveness for yourself, now, at this moment. However sinful your life may have been up until now, there is forgiveness with God even for you, and He continues daily to forgive.
Because you have received such great forgiveness, learn also to seek it of those you have grieved. If you have been rude and moody and have pushed away daughter, friend and sister, go to them in humility and ask their pardon. It is a joint business of mutual forgiveness among Christians, and we who have had so much forgiven should find it natural to open our hands to forgive and to seek forgiveness.
Concerning your studies and your desire to graduate early, to make your family happy and to focus on your career, I would have you be prudent and diligent, yet not eaten up with worry. Our Saviour would not have you be so affected by external things as to get into a state of fretfulness and distress. Anxiety does not comfort anybody, nor does it bring any grist to the mill. Indeed, the very anxiety which arises from being in a difficulty unfits you to meet that difficulty. Be diligent in the work set before you, use the means God has given you, and leave the outcome in His wise hands.
Let us pray for you. O Lord our God, with whom there is forgiveness, look upon this anxious soul who confesses her sin and fears she is not enough. For Christ's sake blot out her transgressions and give her to know with certainty that she is forgiven, accepted and beloved in Him. Quiet her fearful heart and give her peace with Thee. Help her to walk gently and kindly with her family and friends, and to seek and to show forgiveness. In Thy providence guide her studies. If it be Thy will and for her good and Thy glory, grant her desire to graduate early, but above all make her to prosper in the things that are eternal and to find her sufficiency not in achievement but in Christ. Keep her from despair and teach her to cast all her care upon Thee, for Thou carest for her. In the name of Jesus Christ our only Saviour, Amen.
Do you tremble and shake for fear, and with a penitent heart desire forgiveness, then hear this blessed whisper which drives away despair, There is forgiveness. There is forgiveness with God, and that forgiveness is divine. It is not the forgiveness of a fellow creature which you might seek in vain, but I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions. It is surprising forgiveness, so surprising that the Lord repeats it, I, even I, lest any of us should doubt it. And it is complete forgiveness. When a soul trusts in Christ, sin is so entirely gone that it is as though it had never been. It is not forgiveness up to a certain point or up to a certain date, but a full and eternal forgiveness through Jesus Christ His Son, who died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.
You say you are scared you will never be enough, especially for Him. Hear then that forgiveness is not given because you are enough, but because Christ is enough. You need not bring a payment to your great Creditor, for you have nothing to pay with. You are to come as you are and put your trust in Christ, and the Lord promises oblivion to all your debt. Him that cometh to Me, He says, I will in no wise cast out. Do as Luther did when in dark distress, and say with the Creed, I believe in the forgiveness of sins, and believe in that forgiveness for yourself, now, at this moment. However sinful your life may have been up until now, there is forgiveness with God even for you, and He continues daily to forgive.
Because you have received such great forgiveness, learn also to seek it of those you have grieved. If you have been rude and moody and have pushed away daughter, friend and sister, go to them in humility and ask their pardon. It is a joint business of mutual forgiveness among Christians, and we who have had so much forgiven should find it natural to open our hands to forgive and to seek forgiveness.
Concerning your studies and your desire to graduate early, to make your family happy and to focus on your career, I would have you be prudent and diligent, yet not eaten up with worry. Our Saviour would not have you be so affected by external things as to get into a state of fretfulness and distress. Anxiety does not comfort anybody, nor does it bring any grist to the mill. Indeed, the very anxiety which arises from being in a difficulty unfits you to meet that difficulty. Be diligent in the work set before you, use the means God has given you, and leave the outcome in His wise hands.
Let us pray for you. O Lord our God, with whom there is forgiveness, look upon this anxious soul who confesses her sin and fears she is not enough. For Christ's sake blot out her transgressions and give her to know with certainty that she is forgiven, accepted and beloved in Him. Quiet her fearful heart and give her peace with Thee. Help her to walk gently and kindly with her family and friends, and to seek and to show forgiveness. In Thy providence guide her studies. If it be Thy will and for her good and Thy glory, grant her desire to graduate early, but above all make her to prosper in the things that are eternal and to find her sufficiency not in achievement but in Christ. Keep her from despair and teach her to cast all her care upon Thee, for Thou carest for her. In the name of Jesus Christ our only Saviour, Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
