For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
PSALM 103:11–12
Sometimes we just have to get away, maybe from danger, a particular person, or even our everyday life. How far can we go? Suppose we climbed the highest mountain. The height of Mount Everest is generally given as 29,029 feet above sea level. That’s a long way to go! Maybe we’d rather go halfway around the world. Going along the equator, halfway around the earth is approximately 12,450 miles.
The most challenging thing to separate ourselves from is our own sin. It is interesting to note that the psalmist, when moved by the Holy Spirit to write, did not say that God removed our sin as far as the north is from the south, but instead, as far as the east is from the west. It is so like our God to be precise. Today we know that the distance around the equator is longer than the distance around the world going over the North and South Poles.
Even more amazing is the fact that if we travel in a straight line either north or south, we eventually cross the pole and begin heading in the opposite direction. However, if we set out on a journey either true east or true west, we never end up heading the other way. God’s love continually moves our sin away from us! Only the Savior who created this planet could so completely use the world to display His infinite love.
Thank You, Lord, for doing what I cannot: taking away my sin. I am so grateful! I rest in Your deep love.