Complete Forgiveness

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.

Psalm 65:3

Our Creator knows what will cause us harm. He knows what will pile burdens on us that we are not meant to carry. He knows what will diminish us and steal our sense of destiny. He has given a name to any action or attitude or thought pattern that will tear us down instead of build us up—sin.

Our sins enslave us. First entered into freely, sin quickly causes a role reversal so that we who entered by choice now find ourselves shackled and captive. The Creator knows well the way sin’s power operates. That’s why he warns us to resist sin and, ultimately, covers us and takes sin’s blows upon himself.

Sin will overwhelm us. Little by little, like a stealth disease that starts imperceptibly and spreads its destruction almost unnoticed, sin wears us down and destroys us. The entire Bible could be summed up in this one great promise: “Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.”

Are you feeling crippled by sin? Are you overwhelmed by the destruction sin has brought into your life and your relationships? Are you tired of trying and failing? Do you believe you have forfeited your hope of experiencing the cleansing, renewing touch of the Savior?

Listen to today’s promise. God forgives all our sins. Every single one. He washes them away and leaves us clean and free and new.

Merciful Savior, I believe your promise. You forgive every sin. I reject the lie that my sins hold me captive. Your amazing work of love, accomplished at the Cross, is enough. I receive your forgiveness and cleansing.

Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, “I can clean that if you want.” And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin.

Max Lucado(1955–), American pastor and author