The plea for strength to endure is never despised by the throne of grace. It is the very cry of a soul that waits upon the Lord, and the promise stands sure: they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. You are already in the posture of blessing, for you humble yourself and trust the path He has set. That dependence is the secret of all might. To plunge into the Godhead’s deepest sea, to throw yourself into His majesty, to swim in love, borne up by grace, this is where strength is renewed. It is not a store given once, but a constant receiving from the fountain. When your own store fails, and it will, then learn to breathe the native air of heaven, and your worn spirit shall revive. The weakness you feel is not to your dishonor, but it is the schoolroom where you learn that apart from Him your strength is nothing. To those who have no might, He increases strength. The asking for strength for your family and for those in need around you reveals a heart already directed into the love of God. This is a spark of the eternal flame. Your desire to serve them is a service rendered unto Him, and He will not be your debtor.
Alongside this cry for strength runs the quiet, deep stream of confession. You ask forgiveness for sins committed knowingly and in ignorance. This is well. The soul that trembles and with a penitent heart desires forgiveness is standing at the very gate of mercy. Let a whisper drive away despair. There is forgiveness. This is the surprising deed of a divine hand, “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions.” It is so astonishing that God seems to repeat it, lest any of us should doubt. The completeness of it leaves nothing owing. When you call on your creditor with nothing to pay, a full and free discharge is written in the crimson ink of Calvary. This forgiveness is not a future hope alone; it is a present reality. There is forgiveness now, at this moment, for the chief of sinners and for sins of ignorance both. It is not obtained by your humility, but from God, through Jesus Christ, His Son. And notice the design of this mercy: that you may fear Him. This fear is no servile terror, but a loving reverence, a walk in the light of so great a love. The sin that made you shrink from God is met with forgiveness that is with God. Where the offense went, from that very place the healing balm comes.
This same love is the root of the wisdom and patience you crave. You ask for knowledge, wisdom, understanding, and patience to communicate and to continue loving. These are not separate gifts to be collected, but fruit that grows from one tree. To be directed into the love of God is to be directed into the patience of Christ. See how Almighty patience shone in His life and death, Omnipotent love restraining Omnipotence itself. When you feel your own patience fray, look to that patience. When you feel your love grown cold, listen to the voice that laments not in anger but in wounded love, knowing that He values your love and is grieved when it grows cold only because His love abides forever. He saw you ruined in the Fall, yet loved you notwithstanding all. To know this is to have the heart’s frost melt. The most powerful motive you can have to show patience, to speak with grace, and to love those hard to love, is simply this: “For Jesus’ sake.” You have been forgiven a debt of ten thousand talents; what are the hundred pence your brother owes? The love of God shining in the patience of the Savior is the twin truth you are to enter into, both at the same time, not dividing them.
Praise and glory are His due for all time. Your grateful heart is already laying hold of its eternal occupation. The forgiveness you have received is an eternal forgiveness. The love that quickens you is an undying love. Let this be your strength for every step of the appointed path. Wait on the Lord in the dark valley as in the Beulah Land, for the same love shines in both. When you have no might, when your own wisdom falters, wait. Plunge again into that deepest sea of love. It will bear you up. Your strength shall be renewed; you shall mount up with wings as eagles; you shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint. And in your walking, you shall find that the whisper, “There is forgiveness,” has become the loud, eternal song of your soul, and your love to others shall be the echo of His abounding love to you.