Psalm 103:11-13
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
SOAP – Psalm 103:12
Because of His great mercy, God sent Jesus Christ to this earth to save sinners. All those who believe in Him will have their sins forgiven and forgotten. In God’s great love and mercy, He no longer associates Christians with condemning sin. We no longer have to hide in shame from God when we stumble and sin. We can run to Him for correction and restoration knowing that He does not hold our mistakes against us.
What is your response to the recognition of your sin and the sin of others? Regardless of how a Christian judges her failures, she can trust that when God sees His children, He only sees the righteousness of Christ. Believers should celebrate knowing that God has not condemned us, but only the sin in us. It should make it easier for us to forget the sins of others after experiencing God’s patience with us, His mercy poured out on us, and His great love for us.
Father God, I thank You for Your Spirit that reveals the inner workings of my heart. I pray that my heart remains tender and receptive to your correction. When I want to hide from You and avoid Your Word, gently remind me that all good fathers discipline those that they love. I thank You that each of my failures and mistakes reveals my utter dependence and desperate need for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.