Psalm103:10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. NIV
Recently, I was in a gathering where we all read Psalm 103 in worship. This is one of the Psalms that talks about the wonderous love and mercy of God. As we were reading this Psalm in worship, verse 10 struck my heart and I pondered on it. I see from that verse the depth of God's mercy over us as believers and mankind by extension. It reads: "he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities".
This verse of the scripture helps bring a balance to certain misconceptions. Some are of the opinion that every misfortune or challenge a believer encounter is because of sin. Then I ask, if life's challenges comes because of our sins, what was the sin of Job&Jesus? People who hold this unbalanced view are never soothing in their comments towards those passing through challenges and life's trials. It is wrong to tell those that are hurting that their challenges is because of their sins. I've heard this kind of harsh remarks from the brethren often. To be sincere, if God has to repay us according to our iniquities, we all would be dead without exception. The Psalmist(130:3) says: "If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?" No one can stand God's retribution. However, God has chosen not to tow that path. This is not a license to sin, rather I'm showing us a side of God that the devil often blinds us from seeing to keep us guilty and condemned even after we're forgiven.
When the Psalmist realized this depth of God's love, I believe that was what prompted him to write that line. One of the mind attacks the devil brings to us during times of trials is to make us think we're suffering because of our sins. He makes us feel unforgiven and guilty. When that happens, just know the enemy of your soul has started his tricks. Apostle Paul says, "that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation", 2Cor 5:19 NIV. If God is not counting sins against the new creation, why burden yourself with that load of guilt? Just as the Psalmist worshipped God realizing the depth of God's love, do same on daily basis.
Father, I thank you for your love.