This is one in a series of daily posts I conceived of writing many weeks ago while the election still raged on, as I looked for something to write about of more lasting value. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving seemed perfectly appropriate for it. Just in case you wondered, the topics introduced are not necessarily in any particular order. I hope the series is of some small encouragement to you, even as my site traffic takes a dive.
As a fallen creature bent on sinning, I deserve to be punished. God has every just right in the universe to count my sins and failures against me. The psalmist of thousands of years ago understood this well:
Psalm 130:3-4 “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared.”
I won’t delve into the theological depths of God’s forgiveness and mercy here. In many ways, I’m simply not capable of doing so. But as I understand the Bible’s clear teaching, these divine attributes don’t serve as license for presumptuous living. “There is forgiveness with [God], that [He] may be feared.” God’s forgiveness, insofar as we have tasted of it, should drive us to greater fear – i.e., awe and admiration – of our Creator. Even so, our lives on this earth are characterized by the ongoing need for this divine forgiveness.
I have meditated on this passage off and on for the past few weeks, and I haven’t yet been able to wrap my mind around it. However, I am truly grateful to God for the second chances (most of all, for the ultimate Second Chance) He has provided, and will continue to provide as He sees fit, in my life.
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