THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE OF FORGIVENESS IN GOD

Psalm 130:1-4 says, "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." Imagine if God does not forgive our sins and He keeps the list of sins that we have done. We will always be under His judgment, and we will not have a good relationship with Him, for our sins separate us from Him. We will never have hope of being saved from our sins. We will always be guilty and shameful for the sins that we have done. However, our God is a merciful and forgiving God. The moment we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and turn away from our sins, He immediately forgives us, and He does not keep a list of our past sins. When we sin and ask for forgiveness, He immediately forgives us, and He treats us as if we have never sinned. 

Psalm 130:7-8 says, "Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins." The nation of Israel had committed horrible sins by forsaking God and following other gods. Their religious leaders took advantage of their people, instead of helping them to be closer to God. As a result, God brought judgment in their lives. God disciplined them by permitting their enemies to devastate their lands and enslave them. But when they return to God and repent of their sins, God immediately forgives and restores them. God's love never fails them when they put their hope in God. God completely forgave their sins and saved Israel. Similarly, when we ask God to forgive us, humble ourselves before Him, and repent of our sins, God immediately forgives us and will never use our past sins against us. He cleanses us completely of our sins, and this is the reason we can put our hope in our LORD. God can redeem us from our sins no matter what we have done. 

No matter how big we think our sins are, and we feel like we do not deserve God's forgiveness, God's love, mercy, and grace are bigger than we can ever imagine. Our Lord Jesus died for our sins so that He could wash away our sins with His precious blood. His death is the ultimate payment for our sins. Instead of us dying for our sins, which is the payment for our sins, Jesus died for our sins instead. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What should I do to be forgiven of my sins? Does God keep a list of my sins even after He forgives me? What happens when God forgives me of my sins?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, please forgive me for all the sins that I have done. Thank you for your unfailing love, mercy, and grace. Thank you, Jesus, for washing all my sins away with your precious blood that you shed on the cross. I am completely forgiven. I am no longer under your wrath, but now free to live a forgiven life. Please help me to live in your forgiveness, and not live in guilt and shame anymore. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.