18/08/2023
Psalm 103:10
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
I was pondering on these words by David last night. Oh how great is the Lord Almighty who is abounding in patience, forbearance and love that He does not deal with us according to our sins, shortcomings and failures. Instead, He covers us with his compassion and forgiveness, like an earthly father towards his children.
I would not say that my relationship with my earthly father is the most ideal father and child relationship but I know for sure that my father cares for and loves me. I have in the past given him troubles and hardships, have caused him pain, hurled words at him in my youth that must have wounded him. But my dad never even once abandoned me. He forgave me over and over again. I know I have done the same with my mom. I have hurt her so many times in my younger, unwise years. But my mom kept abounding in her sacrificial love for me. I have seen her shed tears so many times because of me but she never repaid me according to my failures and disobedience.
If our earthly parents can love us this much, how much more will our Heavenly Father do?
I asked the Lord what it would look like for Him to treat us according to our sins and iniquities. We would probably be living like we were still under the law. We will be living in fear of getting punished every moment of our lives. For in human terms, sins and failures equal punishment. Even in the bible it was said that the wages of sin is death. We will be walking on egg shells all the time, unable to fully live in joy the life that God has bestowed upon us.
But our Father God is not of this world. His Kingdom is of another divine realm. He does not work and behave the same way as a normal human being do. He is so rich in His mercies and love that instead of punishing us for our transgressions, as far as the east is from the west, He removed all our offence. He offered the sacrificial lamb—the Son of God Himself Jesus Christ who went through so much agony to reclaim us back from the grips of sin.
Oh Lord, my God! How marvellous and deep is your mercy and kindness towards those who fear you! Truly, there is no depth nor width nor height that can ever fathom your sacrificial and steadfast love towards your people. Kings of this world destroy their enemies by sending their people to fight and die for them but You, Oh Lord, are the only king who sent His only begotten Son to die and make sin powerless for all of humanity. Father, I pray, God, that the richness of your patience and love towards us will lead us to full deliverance and repentance from the works of sin.
Father, through the Holy Spirit we receive the powerful work of Jesus on the cross, we do not want to keep subjecting Him to public shame and suffering over and over again. He has died for all of us once and for all and we want to honour what He has done for us. It is more than enough to bring upon us the gift of eternal life with You. Amen! 🙏
Hebrews 6:4-6
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
