Charles Spurgeon Commentary Isaiah 57:18-19

"I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace, to him that is far off and to him that is near, saith Jehovah; and I will heal him." — Isaiah 57:18-19 (ASV)

And will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

It is heart-melting to see the tenderness of God. "I will not strike him further, lest his spirit should fail before me. I will not continue to strike him, because I can see that he only goes farther away from me the more I chastise him. I will deal with him in abundant love: 'I will heal him.'"

I believe that there is many a sinner who runs away from God, thinking that the Lord is his enemy; and as God pursues him, he does not dare look back. He thinks that it is the step of the Avenger that he hears, so he flies faster and farther away from God.

But when he does venture to look back and finds that it is a loving Father's face that is gazing upon him, Oh! how he regrets his folly in running from him! Then he throws himself into the arms of the God of love and wonders how he ever could have been the enemy of this, his greatest Friend.

May such a happy turn as that happen to some whom I am now addressing!