Wednesday, January 23, 2013

How Far God Separates You from Your Sins

by Gregory A. Johnson

How Far God Separates You from Your Sins, by Gregory A. Johnson
I have had the privilege of watching the sun rise from a sandy beach on the East Coast of America, and I have watched the sun set from a sandy beach on the West Coast. Both shorelines are beautiful yet they are completely different, with flat topography on the East Coast and a mountain range hugging the West Coast. Both experiences are breathtaking, causing an awareness of a Creator who inspires awe in all that He has created and in all that He does.

One of the most incredible things any of us can experience is the forgiveness of our sins. The forgiveness of our sins by the Creator is truly wonderful and amazing. If we confess our sins to God, and we run to Him in repentance, He not only forgives us, but He also removes those sins from us. We are guilty but owe no penalty. Why? Christ took the penalty for our sins when He died on the cross for them.

Just how far does God remove our sins from us?

God removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.

Beloved, rejoice today in the forgiveness of sins. Every time you see the sunrise or the sunset, be reminded of how far God has removed your sins from you. As you do, you will rejoice and be glad. God and His forgiveness are marvelous!

SCRIPTURE:
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12, NIV).

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, you are my creator and the creator of all things. I thank you for magnificent and majestic sunrises. I thank you for peaceful and quiet sunsets. I thank you for forgiving me and removing my sins from me as far as the sunrise is from the sunset—the east is from the west. Help me to always be quick to remember what Christ did for me at the cross. Help me to always remember how marvelous your forgiveness truly is. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Excerpted from the book, Be Encouraged: A Daily Devotional, Volume 3 by Gregory A. Johnson. Copyright © by Gregory A. Johnson. All rights reserved.

Know that you are loved,
gaj