⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

In our Lenten journey, we have thought much about God’s grace- His favor to us that we did nothing to deserve.  In this Psalm, David captures the character of God- compassionate and gracious, one that does not anger quickly and is always loving.  He links God’s character to what He did for us.  He treated us with mercy, not giving us death we deserved for our sinfulness,  and removed that sin from us so that it is never to be seen or felt again.  If God forgives you the sin is gone forever, why then do we continue to punish ourselves by reliving in our minds our wrong doings or keep that guilt and shame with us?   This Psalm specifically says our sins are gone- God has removed them from us.  Therefore, since Satan wants us defeated and unproductive for the Lord, it must be Satan that keeps us remembering and living in our guilt and shame.  1 Peter 5:8 describes our enemy “Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”   

Take Peter’s advice today- be self-controlled and on the alert.  If thoughts of guilt or shame come into your mind today, rebuke them and tell Satan to be on his way in the power of Jesus.  Jesus promised us “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4   Claim it today in victory.

Prayer:  Lord, you show me great mercy and grace that I do not deserve.  Help me in the name of Jesus to live today freed from guilt and shame as you intended.  Thank you that my sins are forgiven and I never need to think about or look on them again.  Thank you for your love that holds me each day in the palm of your hand.  Amen.

Living in victory through Jesus,

Linda