Advent - Day 29
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
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.
Psalm 103:6-12
Again, we are digging deep into this wonderful Psalm, slowing down to enjoy its richness. It’s an important practice in a fast-paced world. Some food is meant to be eaten fast. Broccoli for example is not worth savouring. Just get it down. Fast. Other food, like the brisket I cooked last night, should be eaten slowly and with relish.
The Bible is more like brisket (vegetarians etc. replace it with your favourite food). It’s so good you need to take your time to truly taste and savour what’s being said. So let’s do that with Psalm 103.
I really want to just sit in verse 12. As far as the “east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. Humans are really good at holding a grudge. We are pretty good at “forgetting” our own sins. But when someone has hurt us or someone we love, we remember.
This “remembering” can be personal. But it can also be corporate. I think of times when whole families stop speaking to each other because of the words or actions of one person. Or if we go even bigger, the actions of a nation.
It’s remarkable then, that God, who isn’t capable of naturally forgetting. He doesn’t hold a grudge against those He loves. Though we have sinned against Him on a level that goes beyond anything we might do to one another. Our sins are truly forgiven.
Remarkable.
For Today:
Pray:
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
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.
Psalm 103:6-12
Again, we are digging deep into this wonderful Psalm, slowing down to enjoy its richness. It’s an important practice in a fast-paced world. Some food is meant to be eaten fast. Broccoli for example is not worth savouring. Just get it down. Fast. Other food, like the brisket I cooked last night, should be eaten slowly and with relish.
The Bible is more like brisket (vegetarians etc. replace it with your favourite food). It’s so good you need to take your time to truly taste and savour what’s being said. So let’s do that with Psalm 103.
I really want to just sit in verse 12. As far as the “east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. Humans are really good at holding a grudge. We are pretty good at “forgetting” our own sins. But when someone has hurt us or someone we love, we remember.
This “remembering” can be personal. But it can also be corporate. I think of times when whole families stop speaking to each other because of the words or actions of one person. Or if we go even bigger, the actions of a nation.
It’s remarkable then, that God, who isn’t capable of naturally forgetting. He doesn’t hold a grudge against those He loves. Though we have sinned against Him on a level that goes beyond anything we might do to one another. Our sins are truly forgiven.
Remarkable.
For Today:
- Reflect on your sins toward God and the forgiveness you experience in Jesus.
- Give thanks for the love and forgiveness of God.
- Is there anyone you are holding a grudge against?
Pray:
- Praise the Father that our sins are forgiven.
- Give thanks for Christ who brings the love of God to us.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others forgive the sins of others.
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