I believe one of the sweetest words in our language is the word, “mercy.” Today I read about this sweet gift from God. “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:10-12). Can you believe that? I cannot get over it! I do not want to get over it! I think about the principle that Jesus taught in the New Testament about the woman that had been forgiven of much, being more thankful than those who were forgiven of less.
Whether we know it or not, we have all be forgiven the same amount. If you are saved, you have been forgiven of all your sin! That is an amazing thought! We may not feel that we have done that much wrong in this world (that would be if we have believed the lies of the Devil). The reality is that we have offended a holy, pure, righteous God on more levels than I think we can even understand. I’m so thankful that my Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was sufficient to completely pay my sin debt, as well as all who trust Him.
I love the word pictures that were in the 103rd Psalm. Mercy has replaced sin for those who trust Christ! That is a great deal if you ask me! I am totally dependent on the mercy of God. I’m glad that I will not receive the just payment for my sin, since Jesus already paid that sin debt. The justice that demanded my death was taken by Jesus when He died. I cannot get over the fact that the only begotten Son of God took on Himself the punishment that I deserved! Not only did God offer mercy, but that mercy is so immense that it is as compared to the distance between the sky and the earth! Praise God for that never-ending mercy!
The last picture is one of my favorites … my sin has been removed as far as the east is from the west! I love the use of these words in this verse. We know where the northernmost point on our globe is, and we know where the southernmost point is. It is impossible to find the easternmost or westernmost point! They are infinite! God’s removal of my sin is that far. To me that means that if you searched for my sins, you would not be able to find them! I’m so thankful that God is in charge of taking care of my sin! I don’t want to have anything to do with it … I cannot stand the stench of it. I’m thankful for His removal of all of them! What a great God we serve!
His mercies are new every morning and for that I am grateful!