February 14 - Amazing Grace

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquity; who healeth all thine diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; …."
- Psalm 103:2-4.

Notice the wording of this verse-"all thine iniquity." God's generosity is beyond all bounds. It is not limited to the simple forgiveness of sin, but it ranges into the healing of our physical bodies, protection of our lives, and the bestowal of royalty. He crowns us. He makes us a part of his royal family. He does it by placing something of Himself on us-loving kindness and tender mercies. These are the distinguishing marks, the attributes of the great and awesome king of the universe.

Until you face the fact of all your iniquity, even as you view the worst in your mind, the most despicable aspect of your heart, and have no avenue for improving yourself before the King of the Universe, the God who hates sin, and can say, "I know that God sees me as if I were Christ," do you really believe in the all-sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for you? Your sins, our sins are "as far [from us] as the east is from the west, (Psalm 103:12)", and in His Name we build. That is the God we serve, and that is the God who stands in support of us as we build a ministry worthy of His Son for Him.

- Win Johnson