Bless the Lord, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2,3 

In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

Psalm 103 is a hymn of praise, attributed to David. It begins with praising God, then lists many of the things that God has done for David and the people of Israel. God keeps forgiving us even as we continue sinning, and repenting. The verses say “all” – the Lord forgives all our sins, and He heals all our diseases. He doesn’t just forgive some sins, and He doesn’t stop after a few times of forgiving.

There is a cartoon called “Pearls before Swine” in the newspaper with animal characters like goat, pig and rat. Yesterday pig was writing a letter to Santa. He wrote “Dear Santa Claus, I’m afraid I’m broken beyond fixing. So, for Christmas this year, please send a new me.” Rat tells him that Santa only deals in toys. Pig adds to his letter that a choo-choo train might help.

God does what Santa cannot (although a choo-choo train would be fun.) Even though we might feel that we are broken beyond fixing our Lord can heal us and forgive us. He can make us a new person; we can be a new me. As we read in I John 4:9: “This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.” As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth, we too can praise the Lord who forgives all of us all of our sins. The God who loved us so much, even before we loved Him.

Loving God, we are filled with gratitude and praise for you as you loved us before we even knew you. Thank you for healing us as we receive your forgiveness. Forgiving God, as we confess our sins, restore us and renew our devotion to you. Thank you for the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who forgives sin daily and abundantly. Amen.

Chris Gabel

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party