By Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: 2Kings 22:14-20
Scripture Quote: “Oh what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” Psalm 32:1-2
We are all guilty of not living up to the standard our Christianity dictates. There is no legitimate excuse we can offer in our defense except that we are often weak and fall short of the glory of God. We have no recourse, no where else to go but to the throne of God, speaking the truth of our actions with a repentant heart. We feel the burden of our sinfulness and plead for His forgiveness. On the basis of God’s steadfast love, we can be confident that He will forgive us, if we are truly sorry.
Forgetting our sin altogether is the most remarkable aspect of God’s forgiveness. We try as Christians to forgive others that have sinned against us, just as Jesus tells us to in the model prayer He gave us. But even our grandest efforts do not erase our memory. To God, our wicked, bankrupt behavior is absolutely removed and forgotten forever. What an incredible blessing a repentant heart receives.
Meditation for the day: “Slow are the steps of repentance, but swift are the feet of forgiveness. God can run where we can scarcely limp, and if we are limping toward Him, He will run toward us.” Charles Spurgeon
Memory Verse: “Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight.” Psalm 51:4a