Sometimes guilt feelings leave me flat-out wiped out. Things I’ve said and shouldn’t have. What I should have said but kept quiet about. Things I’ve done producing nasty byproducts. Things not done that should have been. Over and over I wrestle, shaking my head, wondering about myself.

These are issues that I’ve asked for forgiveness, which is Jesus’ gift when we’re honest with Him. Humble pie is offered on His menu, from which I order a large slice. And yet the rehashing continues. Replaying, over and over again, the same old sins of omission and commission. Is there no relief?

Here’s where Job helps me. Job? The Old Testament book? Really? Yes, I’m reading chapter 14 in my daily Bible time when a couple of verses grab my attention–‘For you would number my steps; you would not keep watch over my sin; my transgression would be sealed up in a bag and you would cover over my iniquity’ (Job 14:16-17). Who’s Job talking to? His God obviously. In earshot of his three friends.

Here I sense hope that when the Lord forgives He means it. I may be half-hearted some of the time, but not God. I can be double-minded, some of this, some of that, but never Jesus. What He says He means. And here’s where I garner confidence.

Looking at those two verses, I find a 3-fold assurance. First, God refuses to keep watching Job’s sin. Rubbing it in, making a point he’ll not forget. And, in a sense, not remembering them by never throwing salt on old wounds. Or harping on and nagging about our shame and failure. Like I do.

Then, it’s as if the Lord seals up Job’s sins in a bag either to toss them as far out to sea as possible or bury them out of sight with no chance of digging them up later. Contrary to what I would do.

Finally, God covers his sins. No longer visible. Not causing pain and regret. Covered up. Out of sight, and out of mind’s focus. To rid them from Job, freeing him of his own entanglements.

That last hopeful bit about covering over sin reminds me of sandcastle building down the shore on the beach. Quite amazing structures until the tide rolls in and those sandy walls come a tumblin’ down! Also, notice holes in the sand made by crabs. They too get filled up and washed away by the incoming and all-covering tide.

Like what Jesus does for you and me. His incomparable forgiveness. Sins of all sizes and depths–washed away. Covered over. Tossed far, far away. Fault-finding by God never comes from His mouth. All because we’re forgiven. Plain though not simple. After all, it cost Him the life of His only Son Jesus.

His blood can make the vilest sinner clean. Even me. You too! Quit regurgitating old forgiven sins and start believing Jesus. Now I’m staring in the mirror. My fingers pointing right back at my old kisser. For as much as anyone else, I need to trust the One I believe in with all my life. Actually, with all His life.

To be forgiven. And believe what Jesus says and means. Wouldn’t that be the best?

Lord Jesus, for taking care of my sin, I thank you. Amen.