Healing for a Backslider: Isaiah 57:14-21

V. His Multiplied Peace

Further God says through the prophet Isaiah, "'I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,' / Says the LORD, 'And I will heal him.' But the wicked are like the troubled sea, / When it cannot rest, / Whose waters cast up mire and dirt. ‘There is no peace,' / Says my God, 'for the wicked'" (Isaiah 57:19-21).

In the hymn titled "He Giveth More Grace," Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932) says, "He giveth more grace as the burdens grow greater, / He sendeth more strength as the labors increase, / To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, / To multiplied trials His multiplied peace."

In Jeremiah 6:13-15, we read, "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, / Everyone is given to covetousness; / And from the prophet even to the priest, / Everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, / Saying, ‘Peace, peace!' When there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; / Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; / At the time I punish them, / They shall be cast down," says the LORD."

Also in Jeremiah 8:8-13, "How can you say, ‘We are wise, / And the law of the LORD is with us'? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood. The wise men are ashamed, / They are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD; / So what wisdom do they have? Therefore I will give their wives to others, / And their fields to those who will inherit them; / Because from the least even to the greatest / Everyone is given to covetousness; / From the prophet even to the priest / Everyone deals falsely. For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, / Saying, 'Peace, peace!' When there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, / Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; / In the time of their punishment / They shall be cast down,' says the LORD. ‘I will surely consume them,' says the LORD."

Isaiah shares the following inspiring and inspired thought, "You will keep him in perfect peace, / Whose mind is stayed on You, / Because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).

Conclusion

William Hunter (1811-1877) penned these words in 1859, "The great Physician now is near, / The sympathizing Jesus; / He speaks the drooping heart to cheer; / O hear the voice of Jesus. Sweetest note in seraph song, / Sweetest name on mortal tongue, / Sweetest carol ever sung, / Jesus, blessed Jesus. His name dispels my guilt and fear, / No other name but Jesus; / O how my soul delights to hear / The precious name of Jesus! And when to that bright world above / We rise to be with Jesus, / We'll sing around the throne of love / His Name—the Name of Jesus."

The only one who can heal us of backsliding is Jesus Christ, the Great Physician.  As believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, we should express our deep appreciation to God because there is healing for a backslider.