Meditation on Forgiveness

This morning I was reading out of Jeremiah, and the following verses caught my attention, and started me thinking about forgiveness.

(NIV)Jeremiah 14:20-22
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you. [21] For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it. [22] Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

After reading that, I was reminded of Psalm 32.

(NIV)Psalm 32:1-11
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [2] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. [6] Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. [7] You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. [8] I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. [9] Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. [10] Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. [11] Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

I was just thinking about the first verse of Psalm 32, how we are so blessed to have our sins forgiven. I was thinking that otherwise our sin would be piled up like our national debt, a list of sins that just keeps getting larger and larger, to the point that its almost unfathomable, certainly with no hope of ever clearing the debt or record. I am so grateful Lord, that You freely offer us forgiveness of sins. Thank You Lord for dying to set me free from my sin. We really have no real sense of the value of Your sacrifice, but even so, we are grateful. Lord, our hope is in You, for you are the only one who brings forgiveness, and life. Lord, surround me with Your unfailing love.