AS FAR AS THE EAST IS FROM THE WEST, SO FAR HAS HE REMOVED OUR TRANSGRESSIONS FROM US. - PSALM 103:12 NIV
Forgiveness. The word rolls off the tongue much more easily than it penetrates the heart. When someone has wronged you, it is natural to feel hurt. It is not easy to forgive a person who has wounded you. Forgiveness is no small thing. It is a tall order.
The greater the offense, the harder you may find it to forgive.
The model prayer that Jesus taught His followers includes this line:
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."
What was Jesus saying here? He was reminding us to emulate our Father's ability to forgive. Have we not all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God? Certainly! But our heavenly Father forgives us. He removes the dark stain of sin and says He will speak of it no more. It is gone.
As far as the east is from the west. That is a long way! God does not keep bringing up your past sins. If you have asked Him to forgive you, He has. Pray for your heavenly Father to reveal to you just how much He loves you.
As you experience His love and forgiveness, you will want to forgive others—regardless of the depth of the hurt they have caused in your life.
LET'S PRAY:
God, forgiveness is not always easy. Help me to sense Your deep love for me. Remind me of all that You have forgiven me of so that I might be able to forgive others. Amen.
