“The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor; he took my measurement anew every time he saw me, while all the rest went on with their old measurements and expected them to fit me.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              — George Bernard Shaw

 We read that King David was a man after God’s own heart. But according to Scripture, there were many people –even amongst his own countrymen- that did not believe David measured up to his role as king, nor as a child of God. King David’s critics probably couldn’t let go of his past failures and mistakes, which is understandable because even David struggled with them occasionally.

I very much doubt that you and I will ever be exempt from that kind of scrutiny either. As long as there is breath in our bodies, someone is bound to question whether or not we measure up in one way or another.  Truthfully, as long as God considers you to be a man or woman after His own heart, it doesn’t matter in the least what anyone else thinks.

 Here’s the kicker: that includes us! Most of us need to learn to forgive ourselves a little more readily.  Why is it so easy to forget others mistakes but cling to our own like some well-deserved trophy when the Lord promised: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9). Furthermore, He takes our iniquities and casts them into depths of the sea (Micah 7:19).

 Dear reader, the next time you are tempted to dredge up your own past failures, remember that you don’t even know where God’s sea of forgotten iniquity is. Even if you did, there’s nothing in there worth retrieving.

 The next time an enemy throws your past in your face just smile and hand him a mirror.  Oops, scratch that –I was just thinking out loud; I’m sure you can think of something a little more spiritual.

 Finally, every time the devil tries to bring condemnation by reminding you of your past, simply remind him of his future.

 None of us are perfect, but if we remain faithful to the Lord and His instruction, we will measure up in the end –He will see to that!