Many times, when we think of how God might respond to us after we’ve sinned, we compare it to how people treat others who sin against them. They may be disgusted, angry, resentful, bitter, and downright mean. Equally as bad is how we treat ourselves when we have done wrong. We do all the above plus we heap on some good old-fashioned guilt and shame to top it off; and maybe we will forgive ourselves after we have suffered plenty of remorse and depression for our sin.
Thank God that He is not like us. The Lord is not selfish, unkind, and unloving. He is always acting from His loving and holy nature. Additionally, God always goes the extra mile to bless and help His hurting children over their sin as they repent.
When it comes to asking God to forgive us we might think we’re not deserving of being forgiven. The truth is: we do not deserve to be forgiven; however, God is a God of mercy and delights in lovingkindness. We may even think we need to wait before asking God to forgive us and reason, “If I give God some time maybe He will not be so upset with me when I ask for forgiveness”.
That’s where Psalm 86:5 comes into spiritual play as the Psalmist writes, “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You”. The Message translates it, “You’re well-known as good and forgiving, big-hearted to all who ask for help”. God wants to forgive us – He is waiting like a loving parent waits for their child to come back home.
Micah says, “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18-19).”
Wow! How blessed are we to be children of such a loving God.
Mike