In the song, Forgiveness, the author and songwriter, Matthew West tells the story about a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver.  It turns out the drunk driver was a young college student.  He was sentenced to jail.  The mother did the unthinkable – she forgave him.  She forgave the man who killed her daughter.

In Micah 7:18-20, the prophet recognizes the love God has for his people.  It is a true love because God loves us so unconditionally.  There is nothing that we can do that will separate us from the love of God.  God does the unthinkable…He forgives us when we do not deserve to be forgiven.  God forgives us even when we cannot forgive ourselves.

This young man that killed this mother’s daughter, now travels with her to schools and other organizations to talk about the danger of driving and drinking.  They used this horrific accident for the glory of God – not only to demonstrate the consequences of drinking and driving, but the consequences of forgiving! This mother is “free!”  She is free from her pain of losing her daughter – but more than that, she is free to live out God’s will for her life.  The young man that is responsible for her daughter’s death is also free – Free to turn towards God for God’s forgiveness and live the life God intended for him.

And so, that is what God has done for you.  God forgives you – so that you can your life free from guilt, free from pain, and free to live out the life God intended for you.  Our God is truly an awesome God.

Let us pray…Gracious God, you free us from our sin – not only forgiving us, but also forgetting.  By your love, we can live a life that allows us to live for you.  We give you thanks and praise for your Son, Jesus Christ, who made all this possible.  Amen.