He waits to fall upon our neck and kiss us!

(James Smith, "The Pastor's Morning Visit")

"Only acknowledge your iniquity!" Jeremiah 3:13

Will the Lord receive us when we have backslidden from Him, and are desirous of returning to Him? Oh, yes, He invites, He exhorts, He beseeches us to return! Nor does He prescribe any hard conditions — but He says, "Only acknowledge your iniquity!"

He is so ready to forgive, so infinitely gracious in His nature — that if we only confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Have we wandered?

Have we left our first love?

Let us go and return to our first husband, for then it was better with us than now. His affections yearn for us, His arms are open to receive us, and He waits to fall upon our neck and kiss us!

Let us go to His throne of grace — and there . . .
  confess our sins,
  beg His pardon,
  sigh for the enjoyment of His love —
and He will restore unto us the joys of His salvation.

Let us daily confess our iniquities unto the Lord, and He will pardon our numerous sins.

In His favor is life. In His frown is distress and woe.

He delights in mercy.

He will receive us, pardon us, and bless us — like a God!

His mercy endures forever!