“God doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in-full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we’re made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. God ’s love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him. O my soul, bless God !”Psalm 103:8-11; 15; 22 MSG
I LOVE mercy! God’s mercy poured over me. Not getting what I deserve.
God doesn’t give me, doesn’t give you, what we deserve for all our sins, all our wrongs. Why? He’s a merciful God. Immutable mercy.
Instead, He separates us from our sins. Not just a couple of feet apart, not a football field apart where you could still see them, at the horizon. No, He has chosen, in His mercy, to separate our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. “As far as the sunrise is from the sunset”.
Why does He choose to do that and not dangle them in front of our faces? (We do that with others, don’t we?)
One word. Love. Unconditional. Uncomprehending love. “As far as the heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him.” How many light years of love would that be? Try to put your mind around that.
God knows that we are an organic creature with a body, mind and soul. He knows us inside and outside. He made us. And since we are made of mud, our physical body won’t last very long. It will wear out. Just like on a springtime walk, you notice wild flowers blooming profusely. But, passing by that way again, you look for the patch of beauty…and it’s gone. So it is with us. Humans. Here today. Gone tomorrow.
But God’s love is just the opposite. No matter what season of life you are in, God’s love is present. Now. And now. And now. This moment. The next and the next. And it goes on and on and on eternally. Never stops. Eternally present to all who fear Him.
Now, here’s the key. Notice, the Psalmist says, “…to all who fear Him.” That’s because those that fear Him are living in a personal relationship with God and so are able to experience His love. In the present and in the eternally present.
Does God love everyone? Of course. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world…” But if you are choosing to live away from His love, (not fearing Him), it’s like you are living on the dark side of the moon. The sun has not forsaken the earth but you never experience it’s light and warmth.
That’s the same with God’s love! You need to be in position to receive it. His love is always present, but you’re missing out on its benefits, as you are choosing to be in the wrong position. You are not fearing the God who made you. The One who made you to have a love relationship with you…now and forever.
His love is always drawing everyone. He’s always pursuing us. But, you seem to like living on the dark side of the moon.
You were made to experience God’s love and all the benefits that come along with His love.
Easy fix. Just change your position. Run to the light. The warmth. I promise you’ll want to stay there and live in reverential awe of Him.
