As long as you keep driving, things just whiz on by. It's when you park somewhere that you get a good look around. Details emerge and their impact is increased. And all the more as you slow down and take the time. You have to look to be able to see.
Well, that's what happened with Psalm 103 this week. Spending time in this chapter has been of tremendous blessing, and it has raised a few different themes. I hope to write about these in my next couple blog posts.
I want to start off with the most important. I found 5 zingers that pertain to our redemption. If you know Christ as your Savior and have received new life in Him, these truths are yours! Let's walk through Psalm 103, paying close attention to what God is telling us about our salvation. I hope you'll be astounded and confounded with me!
v. 3 "forgives all your iniquity"
The Lord forgives all of our sin. The mean, the bad, the ugly, and the reeeally awful! The sin we sinfully shrug off as somehow acceptable. The sin we feel caught in and repeatedly brings us to our knees. The sin we are horrified by. This truth doesn't take away our sin nature or the need for regular repentance. But look at the assurance we have received that every sin we commit and confess will be forgiven.
v. 4 "redeems your life ... crowns you with ... mercy"
To be redeemed is to be rescued and bought back. See how in Christ, we are brought back into the family of God. He has not only saved us from eternal death, but He surrounds and blesses us with His tender compassion.
v. 8 "The Lord is merciful and gracious"
The mercy and grace God has lavished on us is not because of anything we have done, but because of who He is! This is a statement of character, of the Lord's very nature. He is abounding in compassion and grace, which are reflected in all His works. He delights to manifest to these qualities to us. We see this most clearly in His plan of redemption, which came at great cost to Himself.
v. 10 "He does not deal with us according to our sins..."
Have you heard someone say, "you deserve it". It is usually used in the context of allowing some freedom or luxury to benefit the one deserving of such pleasure. I get it. But really, we deserve the unpleasant, to say it lightly. Look at how God treats us: NOT us as our sin deserves! If we think about His holiness and righteousness, the weight and the depth and the treasure of Christ's sacrifice become so precious to us. Even then, it's hard not to be overwhelmed with the following truth...
v. 12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
Far beyond social distancing, the Lord has distanced our sins from us. He has taken them away, chosen to forget. Let's think again on what made that possible, on the price that was paid for this to be true. And see how far our forgiven sin is removed! So how far is the easy from the west? ...
Answer: Impossible. Endless. Immeasurable. Exactly!
"Bless the Lord, O my soul!"
Psalm 103:22
written by Gina
Comments