Spurgeon
Beloved of All
There is forgiveness with God, and your prayer for it has been heard. You have come with a penitent heart desiring that forgiveness for yourself and for your wife, and the Word declares, I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions. It is a divine forgiveness, and a surprising forgiveness, and a complete forgiveness. Where God draws no limit, we need not draw any. However sinful the life has been up until now, there is forgiveness with Him through Jesus Christ His Son, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.
It is good that in the hour of trial you have withdrawn to be away from harsh words and have purposed not to render evil for evil. That is the pattern set before us, even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. Forgiveness in the Christian life is a joint work of grace, forgiving one another and being forgiven. The Lord not only forgave at the first all our sins, but He continues daily to forgive, and His forgiveness is an eternal forgiveness. Yet wherever that forgiveness comes, there comes with it a turning from sin, a leaving of sin, a fresh view of sin. The heart that once sought its own pleasure now seeks God's pleasure.
You have asked plainly for forgiveness for the sin of drunkenness and for softened hearts, and for help to be a better husband and worker. That is the right prayer. The Scriptures call drunkenness sin and warn that it wars against the soul, and the Lord calls His people to sobriety and to be filled with the Spirit. There is forgiveness for this sin as for all sin when it is confessed and forsaken through faith in Christ alone, for salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, but forgiveness does not leave us where it found us. Seek the Lord's mercy with true repentance, and seek also the helps He provides for the body and the mind. Bring this struggle into the light with a faithful pastor and with godly and wise counsel, and where needed with medical help, that you both may walk in accountability and in new habits of holiness. Marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, and the Lord who joined you together is able to soften hearts, to teach patient love, and to make you steadfast in doing good to one another even when words have been mean and wounds are fresh.
He who hears your cry for mercy hears also your care for daily things, the repair man in your home and the need for the socket to be made right that the door may work as it should. The Lord cares for these small provisions and would have you be diligent and honest in your work as unto Him.
Let us pray together. O Lord, there is forgiveness with Thee. Forgive these Thy servants for all their sins, blotting out transgressions for Christ's sake, and grant a complete and continuing work of grace. Soften both hearts, take away hardness, and give repentance and a settled purpose to forsake all that dishonors Thee, especially the sin of strong drink. Help this husband to be patient, gentle, and faithful, to speak no harsh word in return, to love his wife as Christ loved the church, and to be diligent in his labor. Help his wife to know Thy forgiving mercy and Thy power to deliver. Restore peace to this home, and let forgiveness and fear of Thy name dwell there. Provide for their daily needs and establish the work of their hands, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
It is good that in the hour of trial you have withdrawn to be away from harsh words and have purposed not to render evil for evil. That is the pattern set before us, even as Christ forgave you, so also do you. Forgiveness in the Christian life is a joint work of grace, forgiving one another and being forgiven. The Lord not only forgave at the first all our sins, but He continues daily to forgive, and His forgiveness is an eternal forgiveness. Yet wherever that forgiveness comes, there comes with it a turning from sin, a leaving of sin, a fresh view of sin. The heart that once sought its own pleasure now seeks God's pleasure.
You have asked plainly for forgiveness for the sin of drunkenness and for softened hearts, and for help to be a better husband and worker. That is the right prayer. The Scriptures call drunkenness sin and warn that it wars against the soul, and the Lord calls His people to sobriety and to be filled with the Spirit. There is forgiveness for this sin as for all sin when it is confessed and forsaken through faith in Christ alone, for salvation is through Jesus Christ alone, but forgiveness does not leave us where it found us. Seek the Lord's mercy with true repentance, and seek also the helps He provides for the body and the mind. Bring this struggle into the light with a faithful pastor and with godly and wise counsel, and where needed with medical help, that you both may walk in accountability and in new habits of holiness. Marriage is a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman, and the Lord who joined you together is able to soften hearts, to teach patient love, and to make you steadfast in doing good to one another even when words have been mean and wounds are fresh.
He who hears your cry for mercy hears also your care for daily things, the repair man in your home and the need for the socket to be made right that the door may work as it should. The Lord cares for these small provisions and would have you be diligent and honest in your work as unto Him.
Let us pray together. O Lord, there is forgiveness with Thee. Forgive these Thy servants for all their sins, blotting out transgressions for Christ's sake, and grant a complete and continuing work of grace. Soften both hearts, take away hardness, and give repentance and a settled purpose to forsake all that dishonors Thee, especially the sin of strong drink. Help this husband to be patient, gentle, and faithful, to speak no harsh word in return, to love his wife as Christ loved the church, and to be diligent in his labor. Help his wife to know Thy forgiving mercy and Thy power to deliver. Restore peace to this home, and let forgiveness and fear of Thy name dwell there. Provide for their daily needs and establish the work of their hands, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
