My friend has two little boys. One is four, and the other is almost three. Recently, the younger brother ate marshmallows off of an art project that his older brother had made. Their mom told the younger brother to apologize for eating his brother’s art project, expecting that his big brother would be upset at him. Instead, when his little brother said “sorry,” the oldest brother said, “It is okay. Sometimes I eat marshmallows off of my art, too.” He then hugged his little brother. This precious story reminded me of the beauty of forgiveness. Although underserved, forgiveness is always a gift, especially God’s gift of forgiveness that He offers.
David reflects on God’s forgiveness in Psalms 103. He begins this Psalm by praising God. “Let all that I am praise the Lord,” He wrote (verse 1). The rest of the Psalm includes all of the things that David was praising God for. “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases,” David wrote (verse 3). David rejoiced because He knew that God forgave Him for all of His sins. As a result, God did not hold David’s sins against him anymore. In Psalm 103, David continued to praise God for His forgiveness of sins. “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west,” David wrote. By saying this, he acknowledged that his sins were removed as far from him as they could possibly be. What a gift and act of kindness.
Because of Jesus, God does not hold our sins against us anymore. In fact, each one of our sins is separated far away from us. As a result, we are no longer defined by our sin. Christ’s forgiveness defines us. We are forgiven and restored in our relationship with God that was broken by our sin. Praise God for His kindness and forgiveness that is found in Him.
The first step in receiving forgiveness is saying the words, “I’m sorry.” It is not until we acknowledge our sins and apologize that we are able to be forgiven. Take some time today to confess your sins to God. After you confess, say, “I am sorry.” Then move forward believing that you have truly been forgiven and restored.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord;
may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death
and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
The Lord gives righteousness
and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
He revealed his character to Moses
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
For he knows how weak we are;
he remembers we are only dust.
Our days on earth are like grass;
like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone—
as though we had never been here.
But the love of the Lord remains forever
with those who fear him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children
of those who are faithful to his covenant,
of those who obey his commandments!
The Lord has made the heavens his throne;
from there he rules over everything.
Praise the Lord, you angels,
you mighty ones who carry out his plans,
listening for each of his commands.
Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels
who serve him and do his will!
Praise the Lord, everything he has created,
everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord.
