“For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14
A man found guilty in the death of a beloved Eugene, Oregon, educator and musician who was struck down while out for a morning run was sentenced to 75 months in prison. Scott Stolarczyk was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and DUI after driving off the roadway and striking Sharon Shuman on the Amazon running path. Shuman had been a professor at the University of Oregon, an accomplished violinist, and a dedicated marathon runner. Stolarczyk claimed he blacked out during a coughing fit, yet his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit at 0.19%. In addition to over six years in prison, he will serve 45 months of post-prison supervision and has lost his driver’s license for life. Before his sentence was read, Stolarczyk offered a brief statement:
“There are no words I can say to fully apologize for what I have done to Mrs. Shuman and her family and my friends and family. I take full responsibility for my actions and I hope to come out of this a better person.”
And while this story is truly a tragedy, there is genuine hope for Scott to do exactly that, if he chooses to turn from his sin and turn to God for salvation. God’s mercy is as high as the heavens are above the earth toward those who fear Him. This mercy is the compassionate, unearned, and loving withholding of the punishment that all of humanity deserves because of sin. It is a divine, active, and infinite loving-kindness that forgives failures, offers comfort, and restores broken relationships.
Simply put, God’s mercy means not receiving the judgment we deserve.
Now, while God’s mercy may not eliminate the earthly consequences of a person’s sin, it will eliminate the eternal punishment they deserve in the world to come. That alone is breathtaking. And if that were not enough, consider this: the sins of those who are born again are removed as far as the east is from the west.
Those who fear Him can have their records wiped completely clean before a holy God.
But what does this fear of the Lord actually look like? It is not the kind of terror and dread that paralyzes a person. Rather, it is a profound, reverent awe and deep respect for God’s holiness, authority, and power. It is an attitude of love and willing obedience that acknowledges God’s greatness and produces in us a sincere desire to please Him, honor Him, and turn away from wrongdoing.
There is more still. The passage goes on to say, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Not only does God extend mercy and forgiveness to those who fear Him, He does so with the tender compassion of a Father.
He fully understands human frailty. He is not surprised by our weakness. Because of that, He does not deal with us solely according to our sins and failures but chooses to care for us with patience and love, even when we have made a mess of our lives and the lives of others.
That truth never stops moving me. No one is beyond redemption who genuinely turns from sin and turns to God in reverent fear. It does not matter what has happened; there is hope after tragedy. Jesus extends abundant mercy and removes every transgression from all who come to Him.
If you are in need of that hope today, turn to the Lord and allow Him to begin something new in you. His forgiveness will not erase every consequence, but it will give you a new start—and the grace to come through your trial glorifying Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Your mercy is beyond what my mind can fully grasp. Thank You for not treating me as my sins deserve, but for removing my transgressions as far as the east is from the west. For those who are grieving loss at the hands of another’s sin, I ask for the kind of comfort and peace that only You can give. May every tragedy become a testimony of Your redeeming love. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Happy Running!
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
