Forgiven ... Are You Sure?

“Ms. Mills, no data was found on your thumb drive, so there is nothing to be recovered.”

I had tried to access the drive at home and being unable to do so, felt the help of someone more experienced would be the answer. Driving to the closest computer repair store, I explained the situation, only to be informed that the drive where I had saved documents, photographs, important links, medical information, interesting tidbits, and much more than I could recall, was empty. All on the drive had been erased, deleted, wiped out. 

This was not the answer I had expected. I was shocked. 

“Are you sure young man?”

Scripture tells us:

“I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25 KJV

For one who has sinned, this statement could be shocking. Can God really erase, delete, and wipeout the sins I have committed? 

“Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 KJV

“Are you sure?”

Yes, we can be sure our Heavenly Father will hear and answer our prayer for forgiveness.

“I acknowledged my sin unto you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 KJV

I was unconvinced. In a haze of unbelief, my next step was to contact the manufacturing company of the thumb drive. I was sure they would have a better solution. After explaining the situation, I was placed on hold. I was hopeful. A few minutes later, my hopes were again crushed.

“Ms. Mills, it seems that your thumb drive has malfunctioned; all the data on the drive has been erased. My suggestion is that you try a data recovery professional in your area.”

“Are you sure?”

Our God forgives, and the Bible tells us His forgiveness is not only extended to all, but He chooses to forget our wrong doings, and to remember them no more. It may be difficult for us to forget, but our God chooses to forget.

“And their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12 KJV

I have kept my thumb drive, and you guessed, at times still try to retrieve the items on the drive. Results remain the same: “no data available.”

I quietly try to recall what documents, photographs, important links, medical information, interesting tit bits were saved. It’s useless, they have all been erased, deleted, wiped out. Even if they were important, now it would make no difference.

Sin is often accompanied by torment, guilt, shame, anger, depression, regret. Because of my past sin, I experienced them all. I would recall photographic images and tidbits of the sins I had committed over the years. Finally realizing I could no longer go on living with these negative emotions which were secretly destroying me, I cried desperately to God for help. My hope was found in David’s prayer: 

“For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.” Psalm 25:11 KJV

Is there some sin you have committed that you believe too great for our Heavenly Father to forgive? Will you bring it to Calvary’s Cross as I did? Today, you can leave that sin, and walk away assured of hearing The Master say:

“My child, there is no data to be recovered. The torment, guilt, shame, anger, depression, and regret, has been erased, deleted, and wiped out.”

“Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more”. John 8:11 

Heavenly Father, that you would forgive me, and free me from the hurt of my past, I am truly grateful, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Copyright © 2016 Merle Mills. Used by permission.