Forgiven.... Forever!

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."   Psalms 103:11-12

I was staring at the computer screen when I heard my favorite little voice say, "Mommy?" I turned to look at my sweet daughter and she said, "I sorry I lock you out of the bathroom last night." She was referring to an incident a few days earlier in which she had gotten angry with me and locked me out of the bedroom. After the appropriate discipline and discussion, we had hugged and made up. So, why was she asking for forgiveness again?

I looked at her and told her, "Honey, it is okay. You know not to lock Mommy out of the room now. You don't have to keep saying you are sorry." And then it struck me.... how like my daughter am I? How many times do I go before the Lord and ask forgiveness for the same things? Why do I feel like I have to ask, ask and ask again for God's forgiveness for past sins?

It was humbling to know that my daughter needed assurance of my forgiveness and of my love for her. Is that what we are seeking when we ask God to forgive our sins again? In Matthew 7:9-12, Jesus tells us, "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven good gifts, to those who ask him!"

Jesus wastes no words in telling us that even we, with all our failings and sinful nature, love our children and give them good things. God, who is perfect and holy, loves us and gives us the same things. I know that I love my daughter more than life itself. I also know that this love is only the very tiniest tip of the iceberg of the love God has for you and me. It is hard to fathom, but it is true. And, I know that even though she may make me angry at her behavior, that I forgive her - always.

God's word tells us that he forgives our sins, if we ask him. Always...period. His word assures us of that. In Luke 11:9-10 Jesus tells us, "So, I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Ask, and it will be given...not half given...or half-forgiven until we ask some more.

Just as I forgave my daughter, and will do so again when she asks, God forgives me when I ask.... forever!

[ by Cheryl Novak -- from 'Themestream' ]