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by Michelle Brinson
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.
Psalms 25:6-7 NIV
How good of a memory do you think God has? Since He's the creator of the universe, I would imagine His memory is pretty good. I find it interesting in Psalms 25, David asks the LORD to remember His mercy and love and to remember him (David, the author of this psalm) and to essentially forget his sins and rebellious ways.
I'm quite certain God knows He's God and He knows of His great mercy and love. And since He's omnipotent (all-knowing) He can easily remember all the things from our past. He's God, of course He knows. So why would David request something like this of God? I think David's intentions had more to do with moving himself than moving God. I believe David was moving himself in the direction of affirming his covenant with God.
You may notice in this psalm the capitalization of the word LORD. Since the psalms were written before the birth of Christ, there is obviously some special significance to the capitalization since it is not explicitly referring to Jesus. In researching this, I learned the special significance of the capitalization represents the translation of the Hebrew word YAHWEH – the covenant name for God. This is the name the Israelites gave God when they agreed to love him, follow him and work for him. It is written in all capitals to remind us of His covenant with His people.
I can almost imagine if David were around today, Psalms 25 would represent his New Year's Resolutions. In reading the entire psalm I decided this would be a good psalm for me to claim for 2005.
I know many of you are taking inventory of 2004. You've been thinking about the things you wanted to accomplish versus the things you actually did accomplish. I know some of you are probably writing out your New Year's resolutions or goals for 2005.
I think for many of us, when the calendar turns to January 1, we'd like to think we get a clean slate, essentially a "starting over" - if you will. I know as I have reflected back over the last year, there are many things I would like to forget and the idea of having a clean slate and "starting over" is quite appealing.
Here is some good news! Did you know that God gives us a clean slate?
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalms 103: 8-18 NIV
It is extremely humbling to know the God of the universe, the one who created me from the dust of the earth, loves me. No matter what I do, He will never treat me as my sins deserve or repay me for my iniquities. In fact, this psalm tells us that "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us". Can you believe it? Isn't that amazing! Isn't that wonderful? In fact, I think that's about the best news I've heard in a long time.
For all those who have made a covenant with the LORD - agreed to love and obey Him because He has agreed to be their God – there is always the possibility of "starting over."
So, if there are things in 2004 you wish you could take back, give those things to God. Stop carrying them around. God will remove those things as far as the east is from the west. Just keeps his covenant and remember to obey His precepts. Let 2005 be a NEW YEAR for you – give it God!
Happy New Year!
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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