“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

Perhaps you remember poor Marcus from yesterday. Pouring out his heart to the Biblical counselor, Marcus rehearsed that he understood that God had forgiven him but that he was having trouble forgiving himself. Wisely the counselor took him to the Scriptures to confront him with the powerful and practical truths of God’s Word. Our verse was the starting point of several very special weeks of counseling. “If God said that your sins have been removed as far as the north is from the south, we’d know right where they’d be located. That would be the equator,” the counselor said with a smile. Then with a serious expression he continued by saying, “Marcus. Look at me.” It took a moment for Marcus to finally be able to look up and into the face of the godly Biblical counselor. “Marcus, God said that He has removed your sins as far as the east is from the west. Therefore we can never, never, never, never find them again. Every time that you wallow in guilt and shame, you are looking for something that you can never find again. They’re gone. They’re gone as far as the east is from the west,” the counselor said with firm conviction. Marcus was just beginning a great journey on which he would learn to forgive himself. How about you? Is there anything about which you need to forgive yourself?

For today: The turnaround for Marcus wasn’t overnight. But it was joyous indeed. How about you? Is there anything for which you need to forgive yourself?