Despair Not – The Lord Seeks After You

“It sometimes happens that Satan carries on a dialogue within your heart, such as: “See what great evils you have committed; see how your soul is full of so many follies. See how you are weighed down by sins so that you can hardly expect to be saved.” These things he does to lead you to despair, thinking that your repentance has not been acceptable. For since evil through transgression entered into man’s heart, afterward evil argues day and night with the soul, as a man to a man. But you answer him in this way: “I have the Lord’s testimonies in Scripture: ‘I do not wish the death of sinners but their repentance so that the sinner himself may turn from his wicked way and live’ ” (Ez 33:11).
For this reason the Lord descended so that he might save sinners, raise up the dead, and bring new life to those wounded by death and to enlighten those who lay in darkness. The Lord truly came and called us to be God’s adopted sons, to enter into a holy city, ever at peace, to possess a life that will endure forever, to share an incorruptible glory. Let us singly strive to come to a good end after a good beginning. Let us persevere in poverty, in our pilgrimage, living in affliction and petitions to God without any shame as we continuously knock at the door. 


As near as the body is to the soul in intimate interrelationship, so much nearer is God who is present to come and open the locked doors of our heart and to fill us with heavenly riches. He is, indeed, good and he loves mankind. His promises cannot deceive, provided we only persevere to the end, zealously seeking him. Glory be to the compassionate mercies of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.”

St. Macarius the Great, Homily 11