For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." Hebrews 8:12

David Neeley is a fireman who works 24-hour shifts for the Clinton Fire Department in Massachusetts.

On August 30th, his wife, Felicia, had to bring him a few things he had forgotten. She was only out of their house for a short time. That short time was long enough for thieves to break into the home, ransack everything, and steal some valuable items.

One of those items stolen was the Neeley's camera.

On that camera were some 200 personal pictures; some of those photographs were of their son ... a son who had died shortly after he had been born.

The police released surveillance images of the culprit and before too long a lady turned herself in. When she did so, she also brought Neeley's camera with her. Sadly, she reported she had already erased all of the images on the camera's memory.

But there is a "rest of the story" to this heartbreaking tale.

The police used special software and managed to recover those photographs.

When the police returned the camera to the Neeleys, they also gave the couple a set of their pictures. It was an emotional exchange, which had one of the officers remarking, "A day like today is the most rewarding part of being a police officer."

As for Felicia, she calls the police "Awesome."

Now many people don't know that when you erase something on a camera or a computer's memory chip, that information is not always entirely gone. Skilled experts can often reclaim such information. In the case of the Neeleys, that was a good thing.

But it is not a good thing when it comes to sin. Thankfully, there is no such recovery possible for our sins when the Lord erases them.

Jesus, our Savior, came into this world to win us forgiveness. He gave up His life so our sins would be erased, and they could never be used against us when we are being judged by the Lord. His blessed resurrection from the dead says to all believers they can rest and be secure of their forgiveness.

In God's eyes -- and His are the only ones which truly count -- our sins no longer exist.

As the writer to the Hebrews assures us, God "will be merciful toward their iniquities, and (He) will remember their sins no more."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that those sins that once blackened my soul and robbed me of eternity in heaven have been erased. May I never forget this wonderful blessing, which has been won for me by Jesus' selfless sacrifice. In His Name I pray it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 47-49    Romans 9:1-15

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