Israel is a scattered flock, the lions have driven them away. The first one who devoured him was the king of Assyria, and this last one who has broken his bones is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am going to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria. And I will bring Israel back to his pasture and he will graze on Carmel and Bashan, and his desire will be satisfied in the hill country of Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and at that time,’ declares the Lord, ‘search will be made for the iniquity of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found; for I will pardon those whom I leave as a remnant.’ Jeremiah 50:17-20
God can and does pardon sin. How? He reckons the payment due for the sins of every man, woman and child who ever lived – ‘paid in full’, based on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross. He can legitimately say ‘search for the iniquity, but there is none’.
Have I received the forgiveness of my sins and appropriated the saving grace of God in my life? Or do I try to stand in a right relationship with God based on my own merit?
God, thank you for Jesus! Plain and simple, profound and eternal. I beg Your pardon.
