Repentance

Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord, and we shall be turned – Lamentations 5:21 

This prayer expresses the utter inability of anyone to heal their own spiritual wounds, to draw near to God in their own strength, or to turn from sin without his divine intervention and assistance: turn us unto thee, O Lord.

As sinners, we are completely shut up to the grace of God; there is nowhere else to turn and no one else who can help. We cannot even repent with genuine tears unless God grants us true remorse for sin and gives us the desire to walk in his way. 

Yet this prayer also expresses the inevitable response of those who are so moved by the grace of God. When God turns us to himself, we will be turned! There has never yet been a heart so obstinate that God cannot overwhelm it with his love. Even the dirty tax-collector Matthew and the Pharisaical Saul of Tarsus were won by the gracious work of God in their hearts.

What is your state today? Have you felt the irresistible grace of God, moving by his Spirit in your heart, and turning you to Christ? Have you felt the resistance of your cold heart crumble before the warm rays of God’s goodness? Turn to him, and know that it is he who is turning you.