“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
I left you in the middle of the unfolding drama in Pastor Kenward’s office. It was late in the week, and Pastor Kenward was desperately trying to finish the sermons for Sunday. His dear secretary, Marie, had teased him as she said, “I’m going to guard your door. No interruptions.” It was with some degree of hesitation that she stepped into the pastor’s study. A phone call had come into the offices from an anonymous lady who sounded desperate. She told Marie, “If the pastor is too busy, I will never call and bother anyone there again.” Pastor Kenward immediately wanted the call put through. He could hear Marie on the phone as she said, “Now Honey, I don’t know you, but I want to tell you that our pastor is absolutely not too busy. He wants to talk with you. Please tell him everything. He will help you.” With that the drama of hopelessness, despair, and bitterness unfolded for over two hours. Over the months of counseling, Pastor Kenward came to discover that he was the last pastor on the list. If he had been too busy, she was going to take her life. Psalm 103:12 came to be the turning point for her as she came to understand what the Lord Jesus did for her on the cross and the meaning of the empty tomb. What a powerful verse for us.
For today: Think often of this. If the Lord had said, “As far as the north is from the south,” that could be measured easily. But He said, “As far as the east is from the west.” That’s how far the sins of the believer are removed. All I can say is, “Wow!”