Look how God cares for us

Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” The author quoted from Jeremiah 31 to show how God cares for those with whom He “cut” a second covenant. That’s how covenants were established in the Old Testament times. An animal was cut in two and the two parties passed through the halves testifying that if they didn’t keep their side of the covenant they should also be cut in two and give up their lives. In the second covenant, the new covenant, God fulfills the requirements for both parties. This shows the superior nature of the covenant of grace. It cannot fail. Even if the house of Israel, those who are to be receptacles and retainers of God, sin against God, He can and will be merciful. Their sins will not be remembered against them. Israel in the flesh did not receive God’s mercy regarding their iniquities. Indeed, He wiped them off the face of the earth because of their iniquities just as He promised when he established the first covenant. Jeremiah stated the fact plainly. Jeremiah 13:22 “If you say in your heart, ‘Why have these things happened to me?’ Because of the magnitude of your iniquity your skirts have been removed and your heels have been exposed.” Jeremiah 30:14 All your lovers have forgotten you, they do not seek you; for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the punishment of a cruel one, because your iniquity is great and your sins are numerous. The new covenant in Jesus Christ went into effect the moment Jesus breathed His first breath in the tomb. Our hope came alive! Listen to Peter bless God the Father in 1 Peter 1:3. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” We have a living hope since Jesus ever lives to intercede for us. We live under a new covenant which flows out of God’s mercy. He’s removed our sins far from us so we can know God, experience His love, and receive His grace to love in His name. We daily depend upon the mercy of God, which should equip us to show mercy to others. We receive God’s forgiveness for our sins which motivates us to forgive those who sin against us. Would you join me in giving thanks to God for His mercy and forgiveness? Thank You, Father, for pouring out Your mercy upon us. Thank You for not remembering our sins, for forgiving them all. Thank You Jesus for taking on our iniquities and sins in your own body and for shedding Your blood for the forgiveness of sins. Holy Spirit, thank You for shedding the love of God in our hearts so we can live in Christ and love with Him. Amen.