Jeremiah 31:34
God says: No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
This idea of forgiveness is repeated over and over again in the Bible. Remember how Jesus taught his disciples to pray: “Forgive us our sins.” Whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we repeat these words.
But consider this. Jo Ann was admitted to the psychiatric hospital in her town and was directed to the “Christian Track” in the program. Part of that program was writing a letter to God beginning with the words, “I want to be forgiven for. . .” Jo Ann wrote, “Dear God, I need to forgive myself for. . .” Throughout her stay in the hospital, she frequently heard words of forgiveness and renewed acceptance.
Upon being released from the hospital, she returned to work. She knew what she wanted and needed to do. She made application for a more rewarding and responsible position. In her interview for the job, she said, “I don’t have to keep on being tied down by things that happened in the past. I am forgiven. Now I can focus on the future. I can be me again after these past fifteen hard years. For me, it’s a miracle!”
It is a miracle whenever we seek and receive God’s forgiveness which by nature is God’s to give freely. It is a gift which frees us from our past and releases us for the future. It is a gift given freely and eagerly by God.
For us, however, accepting that forgiveness with our whole being is not easy. Forgiving ourselves and others isn’t easy, either, because it involves our pride. Yet, forgiveness re-establishes wholesome relationships with others and with God. How important it is to boldly and confidently receive and give forgiveness. It opens up a whole world of possibilities. It creates a new relationship with God. God puts our sin out of sight and thought. Forgiveness also causes us to look upon others and to treat others in more gracious and honest ways.
Prayer: God of Love, I pray that you will forgive me. Thank you for forgiveness and hope and newness. Amen.
Song: “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” ELW 608