But There Is Forgiveness with Thee

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But There Is Forgiveness with Thee

Some people have hardened hearts  and sneer  at the mere thought  of confessing their sins  before God Almighty  and getting  (or even needing)  any sort  of forgiveness.    The mere thought  of such a need  is repugnant  to them.

Then,  others fully realize the weight  of their sins,  but do not feel  they can ever  be forgiven.     They have trouble comprehending  how the power  of God  can actually wash away  absolutely all  of their sins  and forget them — calling them non-existent  because of the merits  of Jesus Christ.     But,  they have forgotten  that the Bible  from beginning to end  shows the promise  of a Savior,  the actual coming  of that Savior,  His resurrection,  and the promise  of His second coming.

King David assures us all  that based  on God’s faithfulness  and love,  we can sing  with him  in Psalm 103:12-14,

As far  as the east is  from the west,   
So far  has He removed  our transgressions  from us.   
Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,   
So the LORD  has compassion  on those  who fear Him.   
For He Himself knows  our frame;   
He is mindful  that we are but dust.

We know for sure  that east and west  will never ever meet.     So,  when we repent  of our sins,  confess them  before the Lord,  and ask for forgiveness,  He will most assuredly  take away all  of our sins,  and make us fit and clean  for our heavenly home.     That is all  our heavenly Father wants  from us — repentance,  confession,  and acceptance  of His forgiveness  for Jesus’ sake.     He has proven Himself trustworthy  in this matter,  so we can be relieved  with it  and rejoice.

It was  with this knowledge  and relief  that the writer  of Psalm 130 wrote  about the inner workings  of his heart  and soul.     He sang,

Out of the depths  I have cried to Thee,  O LORD.   
Lord,  hear my voice!   
Let Thine ears  be attentive   
To the voice  of my supplications.   
If  Thou,  LORD,  shouldst mark iniquities,   
O Lord,  who could stand?   
But  there is forgiveness  with Thee,   
That Thou mayest be feared.

I wait  for the LORD,  my soul does wait,   
And in His word  do I hope.   
My soul waits  for the Lord   
More than the watchmen  for the morning.   
O Israel,  hope in the LORD;   
For  with the LORD  there is lovingkindness,   
And with Him  is abundant redemption.   
And He  will redeem Israel   
From all his iniquities.

This psalmist knows  he is a sinner.     He knows  the LORD could rightly  condemn him  and he couldn’t contest  that righteous judgment.    But,  he also knows  that in His holiness,  the LORD cannot lie.     God always speaks  the truth.     And the truth is  that the LORD always,  without fail, “has compassion  on those  who fear Him.”

God does not forgive  absolutely everyone,  willy nilly  and say,  “Well, you can sin  as much as you want.     It doesn’t matter  to Me anymore.”     It is quite  the opposite.     The LORD compassionately  and lovingly forgives  “those who fear Him.”     That is,  those who have respect  and reverence  for who the LORD is.     We need  to recognize  that the Lord has authority  over all things,  and if we want  to be saved eternally,  we must go  to Him  in repentance,  confessing our sins,  and trusting  in His promise  to forgive all  for the sake  of Jesus Christ.

So,  what are we waiting for?

We need  to daily confess our sins  and live repentant lives — that is changed lives based  on the gifts  of forgiveness  and eternal life  that we have received.     Forgiven,  we can live  in peace  and joy — knowing  we are dearly loved.

Rejoicing  in God’s love  for us,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     My heavenly Father,  it is so good  to live near  to Your heart and realize  the greatness  of Your forgiving love.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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