FJWL_01:282
         How I love you! How I long to have you Here in My arms forevermore! I do not wish to punish and smite. My love for you is patient and is kind; it suffers long. I do not wish to drive you away--I cannot bear the thought! I do not afflict strife or judgment willingly on My faithful ones. This is not My way, for I only seek to
love you into all truth. I stand by you, to lead and guide you ever so gently. So tenderly would I gather you to My bosom of love. With great mercy and compassion and softness of heart, I long to woo you and to win you into My bed of love, My haven of rest, that here you may rest and find comfort.
         I see when you fall, but I also see the deepest yearning and desire of your heart. I see that you seek to please and that you want to do that which is right, but in the confines of human frailty, it's often a task too big, too hard for human hands. But fear not, for this too is in My hand, that you might lean wholly on Me, and in leaning find your strength. I have created it thus.
         Faults and failures and shortcomings you have always with you, that you may have need of Me. I do not punish you for something that is beyond your control. I do not punish you for your shortcomings, for all have sinned and come short of My glory. I am a just God.
         Oh, My darling, I see your heart. I see your desires. I am not a taskmaster that would whip you into Heaven. I am gentle and slow to anger with those who love Me. My paths are those of mercy and truth to you who keep My testimonies. In the multitude of My mercy I do gather you. I would never ever seek to drive you away. I could not bear to willingly afflict you, My beloved bride. I shower mercy and truth on those who devise to do good.
         My way is the way of mercy, and thus I have said, by mercy and truth iniquity is purged. This I give you, My beloved bride, that by My mercy and by My truth, you may find the way.



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family