Daily Devotional: From the east to the west

Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders
·2 min read

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:8-12 NRSVUE

Michael Sanders
Michael Sanders

I’ve had friends who worried about the choices they had made. Some of those decisions weren’t the best, and impacted the lives of others. Later, they found themselves regretting those decisions and wanting to make up for it.

Is there anything we can do to change our mistakes?

No. Nothing. What is done, is done. Our mistakes are made, and we will live with them. Not real uplifting, is it? We can and should ask for forgiveness, make amends and live with a truly repentant heart. But we need to move forward. Still, too many of us live in the past. The yesterdays of our past sins and mistakes.

I know how hard it is to be shed of the guilt that holds us. And sadly, there are always those lurking about who seem to enjoy reminding us of our past failures.

But that isn’t what God wants from us. If God “… remembers our sins no more …” then why are we trying to have a better memory than God?

I often used to conclude my sermons with “… and walk behind me, Lord, to remind me that the past is past, and this is our moment to live and love.” I pray that for myself and for you. That while perhaps still regretting some decisions, we remember that our hope, through Jesus, is in this day. Have faith. It all comes right.

Prayer: Lord? I’ve messed some things up. Please forgive me. Thank You for this new day. Help me make the most of it.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has books of devotions available in Saline at Brewed Awakenings and Ken’s Village Market in Indian River.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: From the east to the west