Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
Can anyone else relate to the mysteriously missing sock mate that never makes it out of the clothes dryer? Where in the world does it go?? Just “poof” and no trace of it anywhere. I wish there were other things in life that could disappear just as easily. How about you?
I’ve been through some stuff in my lifetime: disappointments, failed relationships, hurts, poor choices and the list could go on. There were times I wanted nothing more than for it all to disappear. I love God and have a deep desire to please Him, but in my humanness I have failed at times. Years of carrying guilt, self-disappointment and unforgiveness. I would take my failures to God and ask for forgiveness, and then I’d take them to Him again … and again … and again, as though He hadn’t forgiven me the first time I came to Him.
The truth found in God’s word is that He forgives us and remembers our sin no more. So, then why are we so adamant about reminding Him of things that He no longer remembers? Our inability to forgive ourselves makes it difficult to trust and believe in His forgiveness for us. Compare it to a situation in which a child may have been disobedient, or when a spouse or friend may have done something that hurt you. They apologized for their actions and you extended forgiveness and grace. But month after month they brought it back and continued to tell you how sorry they were. How would you respond in such a situation? I would imagine you to say something like, “You don’t have to keep apologizing; I’ve already forgiven you.” That is exactly how it is with our Heavenly Father. Remembering the failure with the purpose to learn and grow from the mistake is a good thing; however, remembering it and allowing the enemy to continually accuse us is a trap to keep us from growing beyond our current situation. When we have repented and turned from our mistakes, God’s word declares that He forgives and removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west. What an incredible analogy that is. The east and the west will never meet. That is how far he removes those failures from us. As if that isn’t enough, He doesn’t just stop there but goes on to tell us He remembers them no more. Gone. Without a trace. The guilty charge that marked us has been completely wiped away; expunged as if it never happened.
What a loving Heavenly Father he is. He forgives and forgets. The enemy has no right to accuse us any longer. If you have struggled with moving forward from past failures, today I encourage you to not only accept the Father’s forgiveness but allow yourself to forgive you. He paid the ultimate price for your freedom because He loves you that much.
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Scriptures
Hebrews 8:12 – “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
I John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Ephesians 1:7 – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Prayer:
Father, I ask for Your forgiveness from my past failures and thank You that You remove them far from me and remember them no more. Sometimes I struggle with forgiving myself, but today I accept Your forgiveness, and choose to forgive myself as well. Thank You for Your love that paid the price so that I could walk free from the guilt of my past.
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