“This is the Covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more’.”
Hebrews 10:16-17
His is a case of Self-imposed “Divine Dementia.”
We’re all familiar with the maladies of mind that so often accompany growing older: Alzheimer’s. Forgetfulness. Slow recall.
Yet, we never think of such things for our omni-everything God, for He is not affected by such debilitating physical and mental weaknesses—EXCEPT in the case of His forgetfulness described so beautifully in today’s Manna.
Taken from Jer. 31:33-34, our anonymous author reminded his readers (and us) about God’s willingness to “remember our sins and iniquities no more.” No doubt both writers were familiar with David’s beautiful words in Ps. 103, who admonished his readers to “Bless the Lord and not forget any of His benefits” (v.2). He went on to remind them of how the God of Abraham “forgives all our iniquities. . .heals all of our diseases. . .redeems our life from destruction . . . crowns us with lovingkindness. . .and satisfies our mouth with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (vv.3-5).
The shepherd/psalmist/king then praises the Lord because He is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy—not dealing with us after our sins or rewarding us according to our iniquities” (vv.8, 10). And, it’s all because of “His great Mercy that takes our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west, even as a father pities his children” (vv.11-13). Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, aren’t you thankful that the Heavenly Father has CHOSEN to forgive and forget our sins? Aren’t you glad that Jesus’ atoning Blood “covers a multitude of sins” (I Pet. 4:8) and blots them out from the Father’s view forever? Glory!!
Yes, none of us would have any hope if the Lord kept score.
He has a long arm and a much longer memory.
But, again, in His great Mercy and Grace He has chosen to wipe the slate clean when we place our sole trust and hope in Jesus, His new Passover Lamb, Who “forgives our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness” (Jn. 1:29, 36; I Jn. 1:9).
Never forget the devil, the “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:9-10), is the one with an indicting memory. He delights in disabling God’s saints by reminding them of past transgressions. . .shortcomings and failures. . .those sins of commission and omission, etc.
But, we need not let him do that.
Not when the “Christ’s Blood cleanses our conscience from dead works so we can serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14). Why not spend a few minutes right now thanking the Lord for His forgetfulness of your sins and promise to never forget you (Is. 49:15-16)?
By Tom Smith Morning Manna March 02, 2011