Return, return, return! How the voice of mercy thrills through the ages, and even now, into this very sorrow, it pierces with living power. The husband of this afflicted wife has gone forth into the far country, thinking to find mirth and freedom, but he has left the garden of the Lord for a howling wilderness. The spirit of division and strife that has descended upon that household is the bitter fruit of wandering from the holy bounds of wedlock, which is a shadow of that blessed union where the Lord is Husband to His people. Yet, O, what a word is this, that the Lord still cries, though the offense is grievous, like the bride whose heart wandered when she should have seen none but her husband, still He cries, Return, return! It is not a threat of destruction that goes forth first, but the longing call, Return, return, that we may look upon thee.
Let that erring man hear the voice of long-suffering love. He has dealt treacherously, leaving his own flesh to seek a strange woman, but the Lord has not made a full end of him. He devises means that His banished be not expelled. Even now, the message is, Return now every one from his evil way. Why does He say, Return? Because life is so uncertain; if he return not now, he may never live to return at all. And what is the promise to the backslider? Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Though he has unchastely left the wife of his youth, yet if he comes to the cross with empty hands and a broken heart, casting himself upon the blood of atonement, the reconciliation will be perfect. Did not the father receive the prodigal? So too, the Lord is prepared to cast these sins behind His back, into the depths of the sea, and to restore the joy of His salvation.
Yet, let none pervert this into a license for continuance in sin. There is no peace for the wanderer; the only path to happiness is to return at once, with full purpose of heart, to the covenanted spouse and to the God who witnesses all vows. He must sever himself from the crowd of temptation and let that look of sovereign grace, which falls from the face of the crucified One, bring him to bitter but healing tears. His was the fall of Peter, and like Peter, he needs the intercession of Christ. Christ prays for him even now, and that prayer is the guarantee of restoration. Only let him not delay, for every hour of rebellion deepens the wound and invites the correcting hand of Him who will not leave altogether unpunished, though He chasten in measure.
And for you, dear praying soul, who love your lord still and long for the day of reunion, take heart from the Husband of the widow and the Judge of the oppressed. The Lord hears your groaning; He bottles your tears. Wrestle on at the throne, for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one availeth much. Believe that He can make all grace abound, and that a restored husband may return to be a comfort and a strength to you, even as Peter strengthened his brethren after his own uprising. So may it be: the family gathered together again, the strife replaced by the sweet fellowship of a healed home, and both of them looking not to their own virtue, but to Him who restores our souls. The word is sure: “Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return,” and though now it be the company of two armies in domestic warfare, soon may the banner of love wave over a household at peace in Christ.
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, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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