God’s Grace and Forgiveness

(from Wisdom from the Psalms Devotional)

God loves us. We can experience His abundant grace and mercy. Thank You Lord!!!

“Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.” Psalms 25:6-7

“The sins of my youth” is an expression often used when looking back over one’s life and recalling blunder’s made in years long gone. We cringe when past events are brought to mind, wondering why we ever did such things and hoping that no one will remember them. The devil uses these sins of our youth to make us believe that God will neither forgive nor forget them. Were that true, we would be bound for eternal death in hell. Our God is loving and forgiving.

King David himself had much for which to be ashamed in his life. The incident with Bathsheba alone would have been enough to keep David’s conscience pointing its finger for the rest of his life. His sin of coveting set off a domino effect of sins culminating in murder. Nathan’s accusation and David’s confession brought about this sweet sentence from Nathan, “The Lord has taken away your sin.”

God is love. This love prompted Him to send His Son, Jesus, to redeem, forgive, and restore us.  Day after day we  are assured that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Forgiven and restored, may we also forgive and forget when wronged by others. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks and praise for Your daily assurance of our complete forgiveness. Help us to forgive others when we wronged. In the name of Jesus, Amen.