When Sin Is Forgiven

Today's Reading: Psalm 102, Leviticus 9, Isaiah 7‐8, 2 Corinthians 4:1‐5:10

Psalm 102 - 3 For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace.11 My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.23 He has broken my strength in midcourse;he has shortened my days.26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away,27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.

Psalm 102 is a prayer from a person that is afflicted. The man is upset at God. He feels like God has hidden his face from him. And then, he comes to grips with the eternality of God and the fact that each of our lives are but a blip on the screen of eternity. What is your life about? Is it about His story or yours. A few year's back I read Louie Giglio's book I Am Not, but I know I AM. It's a great book that puts our place on the world's stage in its proper perspective. Let's find a way to make less of us and more of Jesus. Remember, our days are but a mist. Only what is done for Christ will last.

Leviticus 9 - 22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

The title of this chapter in my Bible says in a very understated way, The Lord Accepts Aaron's Offering. Aaron and his sons had just been ordained as the priests of Israel. And now, Aaron was bringing the first sin offering before the Lord on behalf of the people. To say that the Lord accepted the offering is an understatement! Aaron followed the procedures that God had set forth earlier in the book of Leviticus. And when he and Moses went into the tent of meeting, God showed up. He sent fire from Heaven and literally consumed the offering with fire. God showed up! And, God forgave. God's acceptance of the sin offering was the Old Testament symbol that He had forgiven the sins of the people. What a picture. As God consumed the offering, it existed no more. The offering was gone, and God remembered their sins no more! God had forgiven. And, He wants to do the same for you. 1 John 1:9 tells us that when we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He will forgive you, if you'll ask. Let today be the day of fresh start for you and God!

Isaiah 7-8 - 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 6-12 speaks of God's plans for the future of His people. He has a remnant that will be faithful to Him no matter what. In Isaiah 7:14 we read about the coming of Messiah. God promises that Immanuel will come and that He will be born of a virgin. This is not just a young woman, it means a literal virgin. The ESV Study Bible has some terrific notes on this prophetic passage. It would be worth your time to read them.

2 Corinthians 4:1‐5:10 - Paul longs for heaven as he writes in this passage. He writes about the troubles that this world brings, but then says that they are nothing compared to what lies ahead of us in heaven. He reminds the Corinthian believers of how important it is to walk by faith and not by sight.