1. Psalm 103
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
This verse had me thinking this week of how the difference between east and west is really just the difference between facing one way and then turning to face the other. Four examples of this from the Bible came to me.
First, we are facing the wrong way and need to turn back to God:
2. I Kings 8
33 When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:
Second, we are facing God but decide to turn back to error:
Genesis 19 : 26
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Third, we are actively moving in the wrong direction and angel messages continually give stronger warnings to turn back to God:
Numbers 22:31
Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
Fourth, we are facing God and doing the work He gives us, and as error comes we put it behind us:
Matthew 16 : 23
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Finally, this reminded me that the Christ is our shepherd, turning us away from “the shadow of death” and towards “green pastures” and “still waters.” (Psalm 23)
John 10 : 27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Thank you for this lesson, and all the lessons and Bible Studies which have made it so these verses were ready to recall as needed. What a blessing!