Psalm 103:8-14
Living Bible
8 He is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. 9 He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. 10 He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, 11 for his mercy toward those who fear and honor him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far away from us as the east is from the west. 13 He is like a father to us, tender and sympathetic to those who reverence him. 14 For he knows we are but dust.
I saw something recently that made me realize once again how much I don't understand God and who He is. Yes, even in spite of my personal heritage and current role in life.
How many reading this post has ever beat yourself up over past mistakes? Have you ever felt unlovable? How about that sense of self-worth...have any? Most of us have struggled with these things for one reason or another. Myself included. I can look back, even into my childhood, and see things that may have hindered my understanding of God.
I write today and freely admit that even as I have read the scripture passage above many times, and many others like it, I have had a really hard time applying them to myself. I'm too aware of my shortcomings and failures to see how that could possibly apply to me.
Interestingly enough though, just this morning in my prayer time, I asked God to let me see myself through His eyes. This afternoon I was led to Psalms 103.
The reader must agree that God purposefully showed me how He feels. You are also seen through the lens of scripture. His love and mercy is extended to me, you, and everyone else. How can we be so sure? Re-read Verse 8 - it's for everyone who does not deserve it.
As God has once again proved His love to me, I trust someone else reading this also has a clearer picture of who they are in His eyes.
