Psalm 85:1-2 – You showed favor to your land, O Lord; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. (NIV)

Honestly, I couldn't get through the day without God's gracious forgiveness. I am a sinful person who makes mistakes and bad choices, as well as neglecting to be or to do good. I am far from perfect, so I need God's holy perfection to cover me, forgive me, and restore me. Not a day goes by without my having to pray, "I'm sorry, God. Please forgive me."

I reckon that most of us are the same way. We try to be saints, but end up as sinners; we try to be like Jesus, but give up when we want people to like us instead. It's easy to call ourselves Christians, but it's very hard to maintain a Christ-honouring life, which is why we need to be forgiven in order to start again. I don't know about you, but I am truly grateful for God's mercy — which I don't deserve — and for God's love — which I cannot live without.

Many people look forward to New Year's Day, when they can turn up a new page of the calendar and start over. But what they are looking for is the secular equivalent of forgiveness, when, in fact, only God can forgive sins!

So, today, if you're beating yourself up for past mistakes, then know this: there's nothing that you've done that God cannot forgive. Just ask Him!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us, yet You are still willing to forgive, restore, and love us. Help us to cherish the gift of grace that You lovingly give. In Your holy name, we gratefully pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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