You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. (Ps. 85:2)
Expanded Passage: Psalm 85:1-3
Forgiveness is a hot topic for many. You can find many books, sermons, and movie plot lines that explore the theme of forgiveness. I can only begin to imagine how many times forgiveness enters into conversations in counseling sessions. We want to know what forgiveness looks like, how many times we must extend it before we reach the limit, and why it is necessary.
The beauty of God’s forgiveness is that it never asks these questions. He chooses to forgive us fully when we repent and turn to him. The psalmist says that God forgave the iniquity of his people and set aside his wrath. He even took it a step further by sending his only Son to die for us once and for all so that we would not have to make continual sacrifices to atone for our sins. What a beautiful gift we have been given!
When was the last time you really thought about the forgiveness of God? Do you remember the last time you experienced the awe of the gift of salvation? It is possible that we have begun to take God’s forgiveness for granted, living as though we deserve it instead of realizing that we actually don’t. Maybe it is time to return to a posture of humility and awe that God would so generously extend his favor and forgiveness so that we may live freely.
Give God praise for forgiving your sins.
Deborah Rhodes is the colead pastor of Parkside Church in Greenville, South Carolina. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
