READING: Psalms 103-105
Today is one of those days when I read the Word and want to jump with joy. That’s because Psalm 103 says so much good stuff about the way God deals with the sin of those who trust Him. Sometimes you just have to let the Word speak:
- “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins . . . ” (Psalm 103:2-3a)
- “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love . . . he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:8, 10).
- “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12)
I love that second verse. I know what I deserve for my sins: death. I know God would have a right to stop being patient with me over my sin. I realize that if he repaid me according to my iniquities, I’d be in serious trouble. Instead, he separates me from my sin as far as the east is from the west — an immeasurable distance.
Then, I read how great God is in Psalm 104. “He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104:3), and “he waters the mountains from his upper chambers” (Psalm 104:13). I could go on and on with the psalmist’s praises as he speaks of God the creator in Psalm 104 and begins the story of God the redeemer in Psalm 105. God is gloriously creative and deeply forgiving. That’s an incredible combination!
Perhaps the best way for me to end this devotional is simply to quote the psalmist’s last words in each of today’s psalms: “Praise the Lord.”
Praise the Lord, indeed.
ACTION STEPS:
- Meditate on where you would be if it weren’t for God’s grace.
- Thank Him over and over again today that He does not treat us as we deserve.
PRAYER: “Lord, I pray again the words of the psalmist, ‘Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.'”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 106-107