But you say you never thought you wanted pardon.

Surely you feel your need of it now.' 'But God will never forgive me now,' replied Martha hopelessly; 'I see how wicked I have been, but the chance is gone by.

God will not forgive me now; nor Stephen.' 'We will not talk about Stephen,' said Miss Anne; 'but I will tell you about God.

When He gave His commandments to mankind that they might obey them, He proclaimed His own name at the same time.

Listen to His name, Martha: "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." If you would not go to Him for mercy when you did not feel your need of it, He was keeping it for you against this time; saving and treasuring it up for you, "that He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus." He is waiting to pardon your iniquity, for Christ's sake.