Forgetfulness

“Papa,” he asked in the innocent voice of a four-year-old, “how long will it take you to forget something?”

Puzzled and intrigued, I responded, “Well, Keller, I’m not sure. Sometimes I forget right away and sometimes I think about things for a long, long time.”

Just as puzzled and intrigued as I was, he then asked, “When you were a little boy did you ever break something and hide it? And when your Papa found it and got mad how long did it take him to forget that you broke something?”

“Oh my, Keller, I’m not sure I remember. Did something go wrong?” I asked.

“I broke Nonie’s cup and hid it under the bed and I want her to forget about it and not be mad at me,” came his answer.

David was aware that his sin had damaged his relationship with God. He sensed God’s displeasure with him and his feelings of guilt overwhelmed him which added to his problem. He knew why God “hid His face” from him.

But those feelings changed. Why? He repented, cried for God’s mercy and knew that he was forgiven. When he had God’s mercy he said, “You turned my wailing into dancing...and I will give You thanks forever.”

We all have experiences like Keller and David. We do something wrong, feel guilty, are filled with fear and want to know how long it will take to enjoy God’s blessings once again. Like David, ask, pray, repent and receive His forgiveness.

Prayer: Lord, please give us the confidence to come to You for the forgiveness we need that will restore our joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 30:10 Hear LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.”