READING: Jeremiah 50, Hebrews 8
“One will search for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none.”
Jeremiah 50:20
I wish I could forget my sin. I do fairly well in letting go of yesterday’s sin, but I still think about it occasionally. Once in a while, the enemy grabs my heart, takes me back to sins of yesteryear, and beats me up over sin already forgiven. I know Satan doesn’t have the power of resurrection, but I wrongly grant him that power when I listen to his voice now.
That’s when the Word of God again crosses the cultures and ages to speak to me. God used the Babylonians to judge His people, but He then would bring judgment on Babylon – and return His people to their land. His forgiveness of them upon their return would be complete: “In those days and at that time—this is the Lord’s declaration—one will search for Israel’s guilt, but there will be none, and for Judah’s sins, but they will not be found, for I will forgive those I leave as a remnant” (Jer. 50:20). His people had been guilty. They had sought after other gods and had brought God’s judgment on themselves. Still, God would grant them grace and forgiveness so full that none would be able to find their sins again. Their guilt would melt away under the heat of God’s love.
That’s just the way God forgives. He doesn’t just cover up sin; He erases it (Isa. 43:25). He drops it to the bottom of the sea (Mic. 7:19), remembers it no more (Jer. 31:34), separates us from our sin as far as the east is from the west (Psa. 103:12), and hides it behind His back (Isa. 38:17). His Son is indeed the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
And, if God does all those things with our sin, I have no reason to let the enemy resurrect mine again.
ACTION STEPS:
- Review the images of what God does with our sin. Praise Him.
- In gratitude to Him, reject temptations today. Don’t give the enemy any ammunition to accuse you.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for the way You forgive me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 51-52, Hebrews 9
