A God Who Is "Ready To Forgive"

"MY OWN errors have passed over my head," wrote the psalmist David. "Like a heavy load they are too heavy for me. I have grown numb and become crushed to an extreme degree." (Psalm 38:4, 8) David knew how heavy the burden of a guilty conscience could be. But he found comfort for his troubled heart. He understood that while Jehovah hates sin, he does not hate the sinner if that one is truly repentant and rejects his sinful course. With full faith in Jehovah's willingness to extend mercy to repentant ones, David said: "You, O Jehovah, are . . .ready to forgive." -Psalm 86:5.

When we sin, we too may carry the crushing burden of a pained conscience. This feeling of remorse is healthy. It can move us to take positive steps to correct our mistakes. There is, however, a danger of becoming overwhelmed by guilt. Our self-condemning heart might insist that Jehovah will not forgive us, no matter how repentant we are. If we become "swallowed up" by guilt, Satan may try to get us to give up, to feel that Jehovah views us as worthless, unfit to serve him. -2 Corinthians 2:5-11.

Is that how Jehovah views matters? Not at all! Forgiveness is a facet of Jehovah's great love. In his Word, he assures us that when we manifest genuine, heartfelt repentance, he is willing to forgive. (Proverbs 28:13) Lest Jehovah's forgiveness ever seems unattainable to us, let us examine why and how he forgives.

Next time: Why Jehovah Is "Ready To Forgive"

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002