Jeremiah 31:34

And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, "Know the Lord," for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.


Devotional Thoughts

By David Wilkerson

On every front, things went horribly wrong in David’s life. He faced overwhelming floods of trouble, awful physical maladies, tragedy after tragedy, a kingdom in turmoil. His troubles mounted so high, he didn't think he would survive.

David believed God had abandoned him because of his sin -- a thought he simply couldn't bear. He pleaded with the Lord, "Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me" (69:15). He was saying, "Oh, Lord, please -- don't let me go so far down I can't get out!"

David was so distressed because all his thoughts were consumed with how God was going to deal with his sin. He felt the chastening of the Lord's rod in his flesh; the arrows of truth piercing his soul with ferocity.

I know a number of Christians who are just like David. They're lovers of Jesus -- yet they've sinned horribly against the light they've been given. They've heard thousands of righteous sermons, read the Bible daily for years, spent countless hours in prayer. Yet they've sinned against all of God's blessings. How? They have a besetting sin they've never dealt with!

Over time, their sin has shut off their communion with Jesus. And now the Holy Spirit has fingered their habit, holding it up before them. He's warning them, "No more -- this sin must go!”

God's forgiveness can be obtained only by faith. We can't reason it out. Christ's gift to us of his blood atonement is so deep, so gracious, so mysterious, it's far beyond any human ability to understand. We may feel condemnation, fear and guilt over our trespasses. But our heavenly father stands lovingly beside us at all times, ready to forgive. The blood of Christ, the love of the father, the Lord's desire to pardon— all these blessings are known only by faith.