We all know what our strengths and weaknesses are for the most part. Some folks are good singers (I’m told this isn’t me). Some people are good listeners and are overall good communicators. Good cooks know people like their dishes. Good mechanics can fix cars just by listening to the engine run. You get the idea. We know what we are good at. I don’t count myself as having many strengths, but I have a decent memory. Having a “good” memory can be a blessing, but it can also be a challenge. When we need to prepare for a test or hold on to some information that is important, having good memory is a blessing. Unfortunately, having a good memory that allows us to hold on to thoughts of someone who has done us wrong which has turned to a grudge is not good. We may remember our past too much as well!
Aren’t we thankful that God’’s memory doesn’t function like ours? How do we know? When we repent of our sins, are baptized for the remission of sins, and remain faithful, we become a child of God. Do we make mistakes? Do we stumble? Do we struggle with sin? Of course, we all do (I Peter 5:8). When we seek daily to strengthen our walk with Christ (which is a process), God understands we are under attack by Satan and we veer of course occasionally. He will not hold us hostage to our past. How do we know? Micah 7:18-19 says, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
This phrase, “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea,” is very powerful and “attention getting.” God’s forgiveness is concealing. Meaning, He lets things go if we seek to let things go. To what extent does God place our sins and mistakes away? The depths of the sea is something we understand but cannot grasp. Dan Winkler says this about ocean trenches, “They are yawning, narrow depressions across the ocean floor. One of these is the Mariana Trench east of the Philippines. It’s 1,580 miles long, 43 miles wide, and almost 2 ½ times deep as Pike’s Peak is tall. It’s the largest hole on earth that we know about, and it serves as a great example of what Micah called the ‘depths of the sea.’”, Dan says, “With forgiveness, God has promised to ‘put away’ our sin (2 Samuel 12:13). The stone that represents our past is thrown behind God’s back where it falls into the deepest part of the sea and becomes nonexistent.”doesn’t think about our past and replay our sin and mistakes. There is no way to thank God enough for that.
What does God want? Psalm 51 shows us He desires a contrite heart, followed by sincere repentance, and desire for us to not only pick up the pieces, but to realize we must be dedicated and committed to Him. God directs our steps (Jeremiah 10:23). We know God is all knowing, but Scripture tells He is all forgiving if we are “all in.” Have you held on too long to grudges, held on too long to sin, or held on too long to the past? God takes all these things and places them in a place that is so deep we can’t comprehend. The most important thing to remember is the sacrifice of Christ. God knows all, but He wants all to come to Him. May we live in such a way we never forget that.
