Song of Solomon 5:4

Knocking was not enough, for my heart was too full of sleep, too cold and ungrateful to rise and open the door, but the touch of His effectual grace has made my soul stir itself. Oh, the longsuffering of my Beloved, to linger when He found Himself shut out, and me asleep upon the bed of sloth!

Oh, the greatness of His patience, to knock and knock again, and to add His voice to His knockings, imploring me to open to Him! How could I have refused Him! Base heart, blush and be put to shame! But what greatest kindness of all is this, that He becomes His own doorkeeper and unbolts the door Himself.

Thrice blessed is the hand which condescends to lift the latch and turn the key. Now I see that nothing but my Lord’s own power can save such a wicked mass of wickedness as I am; ordinances fail, even the gospel has no effect on me, until His hand is stretched out.

Now, also, I perceive that His hand is good where all else is unsuccessful; He can open when nothing else will. Blessed be His name, I feel His gracious presence even now. Well may my heart be deeply stirred for Him, when I think of all that He has suffered for me, and of my ungenerous return.

I have allowed my affections to wander. I have set up rivals. I have grieved Him. Sweetest and dearest of all beloveds, I have treated You as an unfaithful wife treats her husband. Oh, my cruel sins, my cruel self! What can I do? Tears are an inadequate expression of my repentance; my whole heart boils with indignation at myself.

Wretch that I am, to treat my Lord, my All in All, my exceeding great joy, as though He were a stranger! Jesus, You forgive freely, but this is not enough; prevent my unfaithfulness in the future. Kiss away these tears, and then purge my heart and bind it with sevenfold cords to Yourself, never to wander more.