Beech Tree News Network

Scholars tell us David wrote the 103rd Psalm late in life. It is a beautiful passage of praise as the aged king proclaims, “Bless the Lord, O my soul.” This is David, a man after God’s own heart. But this is also David, a forgiven adulterer and murderer. But he does not write as one weighed down by guilt over past sins. David has learned to say, “God has forgiven me, and I forgive me.” He has learned to gratefully receive God’s forgiveness. If we struggle with forgiving ourselves, we can benefit from what David wrote about God and His dealings with us in Psalm 103.

God does not give us what we deserve. “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities” (10). God is merciful and gracious, despite our trespasses, and we should strive to be like Him. God knows that we will stumble (1 John 1:7-9) and He is longsuffering and compassionate. God does not judge us based upon our worst moment. Neither should we.

His forgiveness is limitless. “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him” (11). His mercy toward His people knows no bounds. His grace is greater than all my sin! And His steadfast love is not for the perfect, but those that “fear Him.” Who am I to limit God’s boundless grace?

His forgiveness is complete. “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (12). The distance between us and our forgiven sins is incalculable. Why do we try to go dig them up? Forgive means “to send away.” Justify is a legal term used for “a complete acquittal.” God speaks of His covenant people this way, “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12). Who am I to replace what God has removed?

His forgiveness is compassionate. “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him” (13). God’s forgiveness is described by language of the courtroom, but best demonstrated in the family room. Our loving Father has pity for us. He does not forgive grudgingly. He longs to receive the “prodigal” back as his “son” (Luke 15:11-32). Who am I to refuse my Father’s pity?

Why is God so merciful toward us? Because He knows us. “For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (14). He knows how we are made because he made us. He knows our weaknesses. And He knew us when His Son died for us (Rom. 5:8). There is nothing God does not know about us, and still, He will forgive us. Who am I to say, “but…”?

How should I respond to His forgiveness? Believe it. We know His nature. God is merciful, gracious, and longsuffering toward us. Then, receive it. He knows our nature. It is not about if we think we “deserve” His forgiveness. Forgiveness is a blessing of faith in God, not faith in self. God will forgive me, and when He has, I need to learn to say, “I forgive me.”

“Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died” (Rom. 8:33-34). Who am I to hold anything against one of His? Are you one of His?

 Bob McPherson lives in Warren County, but spends as much time as possible in Butler County.  He preaches for the Eastside Church of Christ in Bowling Green.  He can be reached at bdmcpherson2@gmail