Pastor's Pen 9.17.2023

So Great, So Far 
"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." Psalm 103:11-12

Measuring distance helps bring definition to our everyday lives. We gain perspective by knowing how far it is to various destinations.  This insight is overlooked since it's such a routine part of our lives.

God reveals two critical aspects of distance in this Psalm of David.  The first points out the greatness of His mercy.  "As the heavens are high above the earth" (an immeasurable distance) so is His mercy to those who fear Him.  There is no circumstance too difficult or an offense too great that would be outside the bounds of God's mercy. 

His mercy extends far beyond our capabilities to comprehend and provides a means for our reconciliation, restoration and renewal.   Because of God's mercy, we don't receive what we deserve but find grace, which in Christ, provides what we don't deserve. 

This leads to the second distance mentioned in this passage.  "As far as the east is from the west, so far He has removed our transgressions from us."  This "immeasurable distance" tells us that what had separated us from God, has now, by the blood of Jesus, been separated from us. The removal of our sins was made possible by what Jesus did by dying on the cross for us!

So great is His boundless mercy!  So far is the distance God has removed our sins from us!  So great our thankfulness should be, for how far His mercy toward us extends!

Pastor Rick Meyers 
9/13/23