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Psalm 130:1-4
A song of ascents.

Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

Forgiveness. The word is powerful and tender, cleansing and costly.  If God would keep a database of our sins we would be bowled over by indefensible and mounting guilt. But (say it out loud) with God there is forgiveness!

Here’s what forgiveness looks like:

God removes our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12)

God washes our hearts until they are  “as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)

God sweeps our sins away “like a cloud.” (Isaiah  44:22)

God hurls our sins “into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19)

Jesus paid the penalty of sin “by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26)

Jesus “‘bore our sins’ in his body on the cross.” (1 Peter 2:24)

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
~Isaiah 53:5

Father, thank You for Your great sacrifice that purchased my forgiveness. May I never cease to thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.