A really long distance (Psalms 88, 92-93, 102-104)

I've flown to Russia a few times, and that's a really long distance!  I think it took us 11-12 hours last time to fly from Moscow to Atlanta.  That's a long flight!  I can't even begin to imagine how long of a distance that actually is, but I know I got quite a few frequent flier miles for it.  What's unbelievable to me is that David, in Psalm 103, reminds us that, when we receive forgiveness from God, He removes our sins as far from us as the east is from the west!  That's an enormous distance that cannot be measured because God cleanses us so thoroughly and our sins are nowhere near.  I remember as a junior in college talking with one of my freshman friends who was telling me that people wouldn't accept him if they knew of the things he had done.  What my friend didn't understand is that the sins we commit are not who we are because God removes them from us!  I am not defined by my sins; I am defined as being God's creation – His child.  My sins are as far from me as the east is from the west, and for that I am eternally thankful.