God Doesn’t Just Forgive Sin, He Forgets!

Key Verse to Read and Treasure:

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more alone—Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)

For Insight

In Isaiah 43 God calls Israel out for their sins. They had not called on the LORD, they had grown weary of God. They had not brought sheep for burnt offerings or honored God with proper sacrifices. They had not brought their silver or sugar cane, but they had burdened God with their sins; they had wearied him with their iniquities.

Like the nation of Israel, we have wearied God with our offenses and burdened him with our incessant, blatant sinning. Who among us can say we have done any differently? As John writes who among us can say we are without sin and don’t need the grace, mercy and forgiveness of God? If, when we look back over our life—however brief or long—and don’t see how sin mars every season, we only deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (I John 1:8-9)

Are we humbled that God not only forgives our sin but forgets them? That God can accomplish what we struggle to do? Knowing all we know about ourselves that God promises to forgive and forget sin while we struggle to forgive and often refuse to forget, not only the sins of others, but even our own. Clutching them just like someone clinging to a capsized boat.

God sets the standard and the example for forgiving and forgetting sin. As we grow in him, observe his ways, study his word and let the Spirit of God abide within us, we will master both forgiving and forgetting sin.  

Lord, memory is a good thing. We fear losing our memory especially as we age, but in some areas forgetfulness is a blessing. Wipe my mind clean and let my memories of past sin—both mine and others—be erased. Amen  

Apply:

Is forgetting past sins a struggle for you? What sin are you trying to forget now? Have you asked God to wipe your memory clean?