That was the question the scribes asked themselves when Jesus, marveling at the faith of the 4 friends lowering the paralytic through the roof, said, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-12. Remember our last chapter? “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you.” 1 Chronicles 28:9.

This final chapter, 1 Chronicles 29, is a beautiful record of the love David had for God. In his love for God he came to recognize the important truth: Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. v. 14-16.

David knew and loved our Creator God. He came to know Him and in that knowing knew that every single thing came from God. He knew that God forgives sin because God forgave David’s sins. How can we ever repay that?

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Who has the authority on earth to forgive sins…In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11.

Wholehearted devotion. How can we not? He loves us so much He became one of us and lived among us not to save one small nation from the bondage of Rome. He saves all of us from the bondage of sin. When you look at the face of those you love remember God. When you gaze at the beauty of this earth and the heavens above, remember God and give thanks. When your heart cries out for help and you find His peace give thanks and praise and know communion with the Creator of all things. He longs for your good. Who can forgive sins but God alone? Who indeed! He’s here. Always! The path you walk with Him is the path He made for you out of His great and eternal love. Take His hand and open your heart to all He has for you and then rejoice! You are loved by our Creator of all things – including us. Thank You Lord for so great and good a Love! How I love walking the path with You that You have set me upon!