Would You Believe?

Acts 15:9 – He forgave their sins because they believed. (GNB)

As we were planning our holiday to the eastern coast of Canada last summer, we enjoyed sharing some of our intended destinations with our children. They were looking forward to seeing the ocean, camping, and searching for treasures along the beach.

One of the highlights of the trip was to be a visit to Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick. Here, tides 16 metres high (45 feet) have eroded rocky cliffs into unique islands. At low tide, we would walk around these formations, which are called "flowerpots" because they are narrow at the bottom and covered with vegetation at the top. In just twelve short hours, our footsteps would be covered with those 16 metres of rising tidewater, and the "flowerpots" would again be islands.

"How would you like to walk on the ocean floor?" we asked our children. Bethany was quick to answer. "You can't walk on the ocean floor unless you have scuba equipment," she replied, as though we were trying to pull her leg.

"How would you like to have your sins forgiven?" God asks us. And just as incredulously, we might answer, "You can't do that!" But God did do just that. Our sins were washed away, as unbelievable as that may seem. The moment that Jesus died on the cross, God's promise became a reality. We need only to believe His word, trust in Him, and our sins will be removed, just as our footprints were washed away by the rising tide.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Son died for us. At times it is difficult for us to believe that You would sacrifice Your own Son for us. Help us to believe Your word, and to have faith in Your love for us. Amen.