God forgives for His own sake, and He chooses not to remember our sins.
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”Isaiah 43:25 (KJV)
What does “Blotted out” mean in Isaiah 43:25?
The Hebrew word for blotteth out means to wipe away, as when writing is erased or a dish is wiped clean. God says He does this for His own sake, which means forgiveness comes from who He is.
Going deeper
Isaiah delivers this promise to a people who had been unfaithful. God does not say that they deserve it. He says, I, even I, am he. The repetition is emphatic. Forgiveness begins with God and rests on His own character and purpose. Then comes the astonishing line that He will not remember their sins. That does not mean God forgets in the way we do. It means He chooses not to hold them against us.
Many people carry old guilt long after God has set it down. They confess again and again, unsure that it is really settled. This verse says it is. If you have brought something honestly to God, you can receive His word that it is wiped away. Ask Him for help to stop rehearsing what He has forgiven. Lent is not meant to leave us in guilt. It is meant to lead us to the freedom of a clean slate.
Reflect
What forgiven failure do you keep bringing back that God has already wiped away?
Pray
Lord, thank You that You blot out my transgressions for Your own sake. Help me to believe that it is settled, and to walk in freedom. In Jesus' name, amen.
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