God Forgives Sins And Forgets

I planned on using a Scripture image for Hebrews 8:12 which says, “For I will be merciful toward their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

While searching through the various Scripture images available, I came across the quote by Derek Prince and decided to use it. It doesn’t have Hebrews 8:12 included in the quote, but the message is biblical. God forgives our sins and forgets. He remembers them no more! Hallelujah!

My husband’s brother, John and his wife Lydia celebrated 50 years of marriage on July 24^th. A gathering was held at their home to honor the occasion. Wedding photos from the special day were scattered on the kitchen table. They are 70 now, still in love. God has blessed their marriage.

Lynda said to me, “I came across a picture of you taken years ago.” I couldn’t imagine why she would have a picture of me. “From when? I asked.  “You’ll know when you see it.”

There was a black container sitting on the counter filled with pictures. Lynda said, “I saw it earlier, so I know it’s in here.” After pulling out several photos, she found it and handed it to me. Yes, I recalled when that photo was taken. A News Year’s Eve dance in 1976, and I was wearing a navy-blue evening gown. I was 21 years old, and have to admit, that picture brought back to my mind, memories of a season in my life that I rather forget.

I was young and naïve in ways. My conscience would me that what I was about to do was wrong but I didn’t listen. I got involved in relationships that were not good for me. That’s what happens when you look for love in all the wrong places.

Yet; a good memory surfaced from seeing that picture. A young girl needed a drive to youth group. I offered to take her, and the leader invited me to stay, instead of coming back later to pick her up. God’s hand was on my life and I didn’t know it. Through that group I got introduced to the Bible. I didn’t always understand what I was reading but a seed got planted. It would be years before I made a commitment to Christ. How amazing it is to realize that God never ever gives up on us. It’s astounding to comprehend that when we repent of our sins, He forgives and doesn’t remember them any longer. Whether the sin occurred today or many years ago; it doesn’t’ matter to God. He simply tosses them all into the sea of forgetfulness. The slate get clean and we get to start over. God is so good, all the time!

I’m glad Lydia gave me that picture. It serves to remind me: how gracious, how loving, how merciful, how forgiving, my heavenly Father has been and is to me.

The past is gone, praise the Lord. I’m thankful that my present and my future lie with Him, and I look forward to all the plans He has for me in this season of my life.