Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!
—Psalm 25:6-7
Once God has forgiven a past transgression, it is forgiven. But sometimes old sins arise in my mind and threaten its peace. Psalm 25 reminds me that if I have to dwell on the past, then it is God's forgiving love, and not my own inadequacy, that I should remember.
When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of my guilt within,
upward I look and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
my sinful soul is counted free,
for God the just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me.
—Charitie Lees Bancroft
When I lie awake at night remembering my past wrongs, O God, remind me that you love me still, and that when you forgive you also forget; in Jesus' Name. Amen.
