Forgiveness † ¤ †

Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. Psalm 103:11-13 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father loves and pities his children, so the Lord loves and pities those who fear Him [with reverence, worship, and awe].
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Forgiveness is a grand idea! When we take our struggles, our faults before God and confess before Him- He lets go! Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. As soon as we confess to the Father, our sins are forgiven! This means that the next time we talk with God to ask about our past- His reply is "What sin?". It's quite a thought isn't it? Total and complete forgiveness, no holding grudges, no holding onto the past! Forgiveness and grace go hand in hand- because we really don't deserve either! But, God, in His love for us grants us amnesty from all our wrongs.

This does not mean that we will not pay the consequences of our actions, it just means that God does not hold against us our sins. If we cut ourselves there will be a scar even after it heals. But, forgiveness is much like throwing a stick into a swift river- you would not be able to retrieve it! The sin is released and we can start fresh. Yes, in another sense we can pick up the pieces, put the puzzle back together and get on with our lives.

I love these verses- as far as the east is from the west--- No limit, no score recorded... David a "Man after God's heart" wrote many of our Psalms and struggled with many sins- including sexual immorality! He loved God with all his heart and did his best to serve Him every day of his life. Through one of his struggles his heart cried out--- Psalm 51:6-7 Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow. We may have to pay the consequences of our sins--- sometimes that cannot be avoided!

As I sit here watching the snow fall outside my window I am reminded that this is similiar to how God forgives our sins... When we ask for His forgiveness in our lives our slate is wiped clean! We are made pure through His grace in order that we may experience the fullness of our Father. When we come to the Father to ask about the fault- His response is "What sin?". It's hard as humans to comprehend this- we tend to hold grudges long after a fight or we hang on to the scars from the struggles refusing to just let go! It's an awesome thought--- Don't you think?

Father, help us to release to You our fears and struggles! Help us to remember that when we come to You seeking Your forgiveness that our slate is wiped clean. I also pray for the condition of our heart! Help us to not only seek Your forgiveness for things, but to also forgive ourselves releasing our past into Your hands. I just praise You for we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Hold us close to You until our hearts beat as one with Yours. In Jesus name amen!!!