Hello
When last have you chosen to remember God’s grace? Consider today’s Holy Nougat
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,” Psalms 103:2-3 NRSV
According to Maria Mayo, contributor to HuffPost, the Greek word most popularly used for forgivness in the New Testatment, ‘… aphiēmi, carried a wide range of meanings, including to remit (a debt), to leave (something or someone) alone, to allow (an action), to leave, to send away, to desert or abandon, and even to divorce.’ (Five Myths about Forgiveness in the Bible 2011).
So if we were to insert some of the definitions, we realize that God divorces all our sins, God deserts all our sins, God abandons the range of wrongs we have committed against God and leaves that sin – not us – behind. I do believe that that is wonderful news to start our day.
When we further consider that this was written by the psalmist on a down day, to overcome the blahs and maybe even the blues, we realize that the knowledge that God has released him (the psalmist) from the prison of wrongs which would have separated the psalmist from being welcome in God’s presence was ‘good news’ to the soul. In fact, the act of forgiveness is considered the FIRST blessing that the soul is invited to remember.
Is it at all possible, that the psalmist was being prophetic in speaking to the forgiveness of sins (and even the healing of diseases), by pointing to the life of Christ? I can’t say for certain, but it surely aligns to advent reflections where Joseph was advised by God’s special herald, Gabriel, to remain with Mary. For the angel told Gabriel that Mary was indeed carrying a child, who ‘would save the people from their sins’ (Matt 1:21) By Christ’s resurrection – and His birth and death – we have access to God’s practical reminder of our forgiveness.
So, how do we remember forgiveness? especially when we don’t always confess our sins?
I think we could begin by actually giving thanks for the other blessings, so that we do not take God for granted, recognizing that God chooses to bless us even when we forget to say thanks. Additionally, we also become intentionally conscious of those moments when we opt to neglect God’s will for our own. (the Hols Spirit actually does that if we ask). If we note our sin moments, and choose to ask God’s forgiveness, we find that we not only remember the forgiveness, but we also find an increased closeness to God. For although God divorces our sin; if we keep on maintaining a close relationship with sin, it will be hard for us to connect with God. That is – God chooses to reach around the sin to get to us; while we are busy pushing the obstacles of indifference and intentional disobedience in God’s way.
Yups. Forgiveness is God moving around our mess, confession is us choosing to stop hiding in the mess which creates the chasm between us and God. Remembering helps us move past the dis-ease and moves us to appreciating the ease of relationship God desires for us, through Jesus.
Bless the Lord my soul, and forget not all the benefits; of God divorcing my sins, yet loving me the same.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
