Never Again

And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins. ~ Hebrews 8:12 (NLT)

Have you ever experienced memory problems in your life? Like, walking into a room to get something, and then forgetting what that things was? Or, maybe you blank on someone’s name, even though you’ve known them your whole life? Perhaps you crammed for an exam the night before, and then, when it was test time, couldn’t recall anything that you studied? Maybe you’ve forgotten an anniversary birthday? If these sound familiar, rest assured that you’re not alone. In fact, I dare say that all of us have experienced memory problems many times throughout our lifetimes. (And it’s not just an “old person” thing.)

Then there are the memories that we wish we could forget. Memories of past abuse. Memories of things did that we now regret. Memories of seeing things that we can’t un-see. Memories of emotions and feelings that hurt us to the core. Memories of the sins we’ve committed in our lives against others and God. Why can’t we forget those memories, rather than things that are more important? The simple answer is that we are sinful, we live in a sinful world. While we may try hard to forget, our adversary, Satan does not. In fact, the nickname Satan literally means “the accuser.” So, when we try to forget, he’s right there to remind us of the things we’d rather forget. He causes guilt and shame to well up in us. It stinks. So does he.

Here’s the crazy thing. Our perfect, all-knowing, eternal God has memory problems too. It’s weird, though, because the problems aren’t really a problem. He chooses to wipe away the memory of our past sins – not just push them off to the side, but literally forget about them. Check out our verse today, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Notice that it doesn’t say “I’ll put the memories of their sins on the back burner.” It doesn’t say “I’ll forget them for now.” It literally says “never again.” When we come to God for forgiveness, He eternally wipes His memory of the sins we’ve committed.

So, when those memories of past issues that you’ve talked to God about pop into your head, realize that they are not from God. He’s forgotten forever. It is Satan, guilt-tripping you. When Satan does this, claim the promise from our verse today. Pray thanks to God for His forgiveness. Trust, believe, have faith that your sins are forgotten forever.