MERCY = not giving us what we deserve – for our sins

 

Psalm 103^10-12

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.

         

            If you ever read the Bible Psalms you must have been surprised at some of them.  I was reading to an elderly member of our church recently and found that I had inadvertently chosen a Psalm that said:  My days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.  Perhaps not the best selection in the circumstances!

 

            There are other psalms like 103, quoted above, which make more exciting and reassuring reading.  This is a psalm where David, the ‘shepherd become king’, reminds us of God’s compassion and love saying: So great is his love for those who fear him;

 

            Now love is one thing but fear is something rather different!  In the Old Testament of the Bible fear of God generally means practical piety and can include the idea of cheerful trust in God, as an adult child may trust a father.  It also embraces delight in God’s law and in His worship.

 

            In the New Testament of the Bible the fear of God loses any horror, of cowering dismay or sense of devastation.  As Christian experience deepens and the soul is consecrated to God, all sense of such fear is banished, and love overflows its place.

 

This truth was already proclaimed in the Old Testament Psalms:

He does not treat us as our sins deserve...

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has he removed our transgressions from us.

  In order to have peace with God,

which transforms an otherwise cringing fear of the Almighty

(many people pretend to ignore and deny such fear)

you must know His forgiveness and cleansing from sin.

 

(contact us if you want to talk more about this)