There is forgiveness with thee

'There is forgiveness with thee'

— Psalm 130:4

Here is the good news of the gospel: sinners though we are, deserving of God’s eternal wrath, we may yet obtain the forgiveness of sins! Though the God of heaven is glorious in holiness, righteousness, justice and truth, he delights to show mercy. It is the glory of God to forgive sinners!

This matter of forgiveness is an absolute certainty. David does not speak with hesitation. He says, ‘There is forgiveness.’ I know that God forgives sin, because it is his nature to do so. I know that God forgives sin, because all the prophets and ceremonial sacrifices of the Old Testament proclaimed that he would. I know that God forgives sin, because he sent his Son into this world to die, the just for the unjust, that we might receive the remission of sins. I know that there is forgiveness with God, because he proclaims it in the gospel. And I know that the God of heaven forgives sin, because he has forgiven my sin!

Not only is the forgiveness of sin certain, it is also a matter of strict justice. God, in his holiness, truth and justice, cannot simply, arbitrarily pronounce the sinner forgiven. His law must be satisfied. ‘The soul that sinneth, it shall die!’ Therefore the Son of God took upon himself human flesh. Living in perfect obedience to the law of God, Christ accomplished for us that perfect righteousness which God required of man. The law was obeyed by our legal Representative. Still our sins had to be paid for. So our loving Redeemer voluntarily gave himself up into the hands of the law, to suffer and die as our Substitute. Having endured the utmost extremity of God’s infinite wrath and justice, Christ declared, ‘It is finished!’ He made an end of sin. He brought in an everlasting righteousness, He obtained eternal redemption for us! Now God injustice cannot charge those for whom Christ died with sin. He is faithful and just to forgive us.

And, blessed be God, this forgiveness is entirely free. Faith cannot put away sin. Only Christ can do that. But faith receives the forgiveness of sin, trusting the merits of Christ alone. Believe on Christ this day and receive the forgiveness of sins.