The God who forgives (Lent reflection)

On Sunday Caroline began our service by reading Psalm 103.  Its words were balm to my soul.  Listen to some of the amazing statements that David declares about the love of God:

Praise the LORD, my soul,

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - 

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's ...

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbour his anger forever,

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

as far as the east is from the west, 

so far has he removed our transgressions from us,

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:1-14).

On Monday I want to resume our Lent reflections with some further thoughts on the great Psalm.