“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:5
God is good, no doubt about it! All that He does is good, whether I understand it or not. One of those “good” things He does is offer forgiveness. Not once, not twice, but anytime I call upon His name! It doesn’t matter what I’ve done, or how many times I’ve done it. No sin is too grievous; no amount of sins is too many. No sin that I confess before Him is refused forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” That is overwhelming to think about! God will always be “ready to forgive” me! All I have to do is call upon His name!
Not only does God forgive, but He dispenses unlimited mercy. Psalm 136:2 says, “O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Mercy refers to withholding a punishment that someone deserves. Since God is a just God, (Psalm 89:14), He must judge sin for what it is. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…” but because of God’s mercy, the verse continues with “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That’s mercy. We all deserve death in our sins, but God offers us life through His Son.
Why does He do this? Because He loves us beyond comprehension. Ephesians 2:4-5 records, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” How blessed it is to be loved by God!
How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
(from “How Deep the Father’s Love” by Stuart Townend)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
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Forgiveness and mercy are just a prayer away!