Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love,
which You have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love,
for You are merciful, O Lord.
Psalms 25:6-7
Have you ever had to forgive someone? It’s not always the easiest thing to do. You have to process your feelings and then consciously make the decision to forgive. Then (for some of us) it’s a daily thing—we often have to remind ourselves that we have already forgiven that person. On the other hand, forgiving comes naturally to some people. I am not one of those people. If I feel I have truly been wronged, it takes me some time to process my emotions (usually 1-3 days).
Have you ever forgiven someone and then find yourself still thinking about it? That’s when you have to remind yourself that you forgave them. Human forgiveness is flawed. We remember what was done to us. Given some people can just let stuff go, but most people still remember.
God’s forgiveness is different. God does not remember our past sins. God’s Word says plenty about His forgiveness.
Then He adds, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 10:17
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
Often we as humans find it hard to accept God’s forgiveness because we compare it to human forgiveness. God does not have to process emotions before forgiving us and He doesn’t throw our past sins in our faces. His forgiveness is far grander than anything we know. Yet, people still struggle with guilt, shame, and condemnation. These three emotions are not from God…they stem from our inability to forgive ourselves. (Yes, I said ‘ourselves’.) When was the last time you messed up? Did you need more than God’s forgiveness? Did that other person forgive you?
How about we try forgiving as God does – towards ourselves and others.
