Isaiah 43
There is nothing worse than the shame that is chained to our transgressions. It wears us down, shouts a condemning voice, and witholds us from God’s kindness and freeing promises.
I have a vivid memory, while I was in college, laying in bed and replaying a sin I committed over and over again in my head. I was physically trembling. My whole body. I knew I wasn’t cold or over-caffeinated. It was crippling anxiety that enjoyed harping on my mistakes. Of course I wish it never happened. But instead of understanding the power of repentance and the freedom I then walked in, I hid & ran, afraid and ashamed.
It is moments like these where I misplace God and say – this is mine to burden and mine to remember. I carry the heaviness of my mistakes with me as if it is a name tag stamped to my chest.
Hello, my name is I WANT TO PUNCH A HOLE IN THE WALL.
Hello, my name is JEALOUS OF THOSE WHO LIVE THEIR LIVES SO EASILY.
Hello, my name is I SAID SOMETHING REALLY UNKIND AND UNFAIR TO MY HUSBAND.
Hello, my name is CONSTANTLY PUTTING MYSELF BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE.
The anger, the envy, the ugly, and comparing version of myself is not who I was created to be as a Child of God. I know that. I know that it is a distortion of sin that makes me this way and my identity is claimed in Christ. But it all feels heavier and heavier every day. I don’t know how I am supposed to carry it all.
There is a reason why Jesus says to come to Him, and He will give us rest. He carries us along in the yoke as we are weak and weary, and piles our burdens on his back. Even in the Old Testament, when Israel was unfaithful over and over again, God was abundant in mercy. He even says to His People…
““Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel! You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, or wearied you with frankincense. You have not bought me sweet cane with money, or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins; you have wearied me with your iniquities.”
Isaiah 43:22-24 ESV
Over and over again, the New Testament God is consistent with the Old Testament God. His Character is never changing. Just as He sent His Son to die for you, He says to His people He will forgive their sins and remember them no more.
““I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:25 ESV
Why do you think he says, “for my own sake”?
Because more than anything the God of the universe, the Beginning and the End, wants a personal relationship with you. For His sake, due to His Love for us, He wipes clean our transgressions and does not remember them.
Now, it is not only His to carry the burden of our sins but it is in our obedience to lean on Him and move forward in holiness.
If you’re like me, maybe you need that reminder today. That God does not condemn you. He convicts you. He does not shame you. He calls you higher and to holiness. Maybe you need to know that He is led by Love, not acceptance.
And maybe, just maybe, you needed to hear that He does not remember your sins as a child of God. So why should you?
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