Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 85:1-2,
85:1 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
85:2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you pardoned all their sin. Selah
Reflections
God had once redeemed the nation of Israel for their past sins. He delivered them from captivity and made them His own chosen ones. Yet, Israel still had a history of slipping back into sin and forgetting God’s faithfulness towards them. It was a constant tug of war between them and God and yet, in each story, we see how God was the one who remained the same, full of Grace and love. The nation of Israel were the ones who changed and could not remain consistent in their love for God.
I too am guilty of doing the same thing. I allow for temporary pleasures to take over my walk with God and love for Him. I allow for the momentary satisfaction to blind me from finding full satisfaction in God.
The forgiveness of God is a beautiful and wonderful act of His mercy and Grace. When God forgives, that means our sin is no longer on our record and is erased and forgotten. Hebrews 10:17 confirms that very promise! ” then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” I love those last two words “no more”. What an amazing picture of God’s love for us. When we come before God and openly confess our sins to Him, He is sure to forgive us. We do not have to live in our guilt in shame because right at the point of confession, we are fully forgiven. God does not hold grudges, He does not wave our past sins in our face. He erases them completely.
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
Lyrics by: Chris Tomlin