PLENTY TOO MUCH MERCY
Our theme in this series is the plenty too much goodness of God in every area of our life. Today I want to especially speak of it as it relates to His mercy and forgiveness. Psalms 103:10-12 says, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Why is this so important? Because as in all areas of God’s bigness, when we under realize His goodness towards us we end up under receiving that goodness we so desperately need. Perhaps there is no area where this is more true than in the area of experiencing God’s forgiveness and pardon. Many people still live under condemnation. They can’t let go of a regret in their life. I remember seeing a lady who began to come to our church for several weeks and she carried this box with her. She always looked so sad. I finally got to meet her and found out that what she was carrying was an urn with her daughter’s ashes. Her daughter had died in a car accident and she had had a strained relationship with her daughter during that time. Somehow, she blamed herself for her daughter’s death. She just couldn’t grasp the depth of God’s mercy for her.
I remember getting to share with her the message of this verse. I got to share the reality of how huge the mercy of God is. He never treats us the way we deserve and as far as the East is from the West is how far He has removed our transgressions. I remember sharing how Jesus had shed His blood for such a time as this so that she would be able to completely let go of the guilt and regret and know perfect peace. It was an amazing thing when we actually had a burial service and with gratitude she let go of those ashes but with the most beautiful glow of peace and serenity on her countenance.
Some don’t receive this because they are trying to earn it or pay back God. Others because they feel that they have to carry the weight for the pain their actions caused others. They don’t realize the greatest way to make right what was wrong is to accept the overwhelming abundance of God’s mercy in a way that makes you so grateful that you are able to begin to live a life of love that helps people who have felt just like you did experience God’s grace the way you have. This was the story of the apostle Paul who called himself the worst of sinners but who says because he received this grace was able to display for the world the immense grace and patience of God who could help any life change and be free. Please receive the overwhelming grace and mercy of God for your sins today!
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