Psalm 103:8-12

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

We are forgiven! God’s compassion and grace for us has brought us to a place where we can have a relationship with him with no anger nor does he treat us as we should be treated due to our sins. The east and west can never meet that is how far his love is for us. This symbol of the east and west is to give us a portrait of his forgiveness. He does this so we do not need to wallow in the past. He totally forgives us, lavishly and repeatedly. Sometimes we tend to bring up the ugly past, but we must remember that he has wiped that slate clean. This means we must accept his forgiveness and share this news with others. Just like God, when we forgive someone, we need to treat them as though we have actually forgotten their sin. Who do you need to forgive?

Dear God, thank you for your abundant grace and compassion. I pray that I will be able to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Help me to keep looking forward and not backwards. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.