Overcoming Guilt

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:11-14).

Have you ever had a gnawing sense of guilt about a particular sin that you couldn't shake -- even after you sincerely confessed it to God? I think most Christians have had that experience from time to time. For some guilt-ridden souls it’s the norm.

Psalm 103 presents three powerful truths about God and his love that will help us overcome the soul-withering power of guilt.

First, magnify the mercy of God. Never let anything overshadow the mercy of God in your life. It’s among the greatest and most celebrated of his attributes. How great is the mercy of God toward those who revere him? As high as the heavens are above the earth says the psalmist. That’s his way of saying God’s mercy is infinite and immeasurable. No one has ever sincerely prayed Lord, have mercy without receiving an  affirmative response from God.

Second, understand that when God forgives he removes our transgressions from us. Forgiveness isn’t just a pronouncement; it’s a removal. The sin is expunged from our eternal record. As to this removal, the psalmist affirms that our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west. Now just how far is the east from the west? If you head east you will always be traveling east. No matter how far you go or how long you travel, you will still be traveling east. That’s the psalmist's way of saying our sins have been infinitely removed from us. Believe it and affirm it.

Third, know that God understands and sympathizes with our weakness: For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. Never think that your weakness offends God. On the contrary! Our weakness inspires his compassion. Our Great High Priest, Jesus, has experienced human weakness firsthand through the incarnation. Therefore we should never let feelings of unworthiness prevent us from coming to him: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

So when you find yourself struggling with guilt, meditate on Psalm 103:11-14. It’s strong medicine for the soul.