Psalm 103:11-13
Yes, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so powerful is his mercy toward those who fear him. As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for your compassion towards those who fear you. You sent your Spirit by means of your word and sacrament to begin faith in us. Lord, we say this, “we have faith,” or “we believe,” but the importance is in the subject of our belief. So what do we trust in? Father, I can hear the Sunday School children answering this with a loud and vigorous, “JESUS!”
Father, you sent your Son because we were dead in our trespasses and sins. Looking at what our sins deserve is eternal punishment. The truth is this: we are no better than anyone else; we all should be equally condemned on the count of our sins! But you did not leave us in our sins; in our place, you sent your Son to be condemned in his innocence and perfection. He died on that cursed tree for us to remove our rebellious acts as far as the east is from the west. So, instead of us being separated from you, he separated our sins from us.
Thank you for your love and mercy, limitless as the height of heaven. You are an eternal God with an infinite love for us, that when we were still your enemies, hostile towards you, you loved us. Your grace brings us peace and relief by Jesus removing our sins; with that, he also removed our guilt and shame. Please bring people our way, placing them into our lives that we can share this peace with them, so they can hear how you have removed their rebellious acts from them as far as the east is from the west. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God’s love and forgiveness come to you through faith and are limitless for those who believe.