* His Devine Grace *
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago." (Micah 7:18-20)
The lengthy passage above is quoted in its entirety because, coming as it does at the end of Micah's dual prophecy of imminent judgment of the sinful, rebellious nation of Judah, and of the coming glorious reign of the Lord.
It sums up the work of God's grace in dealing with iniquity. Each of the three verses quoted describe a part. Such grace:
Pardons sins (v. 18): As sinners, we have the assurance of mercy instead of judgment.
God pardons our sins, passes by our transgressions, and retains not His anger. Why? "Because He delights to show mercy."
Hurl all our iniquities (v. 19): As forgiven sinners who have tasted of His grace and mercy, we have assurance of deliverance in time of temptation. Why? Because "he will have compassion on us."
Performs what it promises (v. 20): When circumstances surround and difficulties discourage, we have confidence in the inheritance of covenant promise, just as Jacob and Abraham did. Why? Because "pledged an oath," and God's own reputation is at stake.
Israel refused to respond to the warnings of the prophets to turn from their sinful ways.
In doing so, they missed God's great blessing and reaped His wrath.
May God grant us the wisdom and conviction to accept His mercy and compassion and to believe He is still trustworthy regarding His promises.
Passages of Scripture are from the New International Version Bible (NIV).........................
"Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago." (Micah 7:18-20)
The lengthy passage above is quoted in its entirety because, coming as it does at the end of Micah's dual prophecy of imminent judgment of the sinful, rebellious nation of Judah, and of the coming glorious reign of the Lord.
It sums up the work of God's grace in dealing with iniquity. Each of the three verses quoted describe a part. Such grace:
Pardons sins (v. 18): As sinners, we have the assurance of mercy instead of judgment.
God pardons our sins, passes by our transgressions, and retains not His anger. Why? "Because He delights to show mercy."
Hurl all our iniquities (v. 19): As forgiven sinners who have tasted of His grace and mercy, we have assurance of deliverance in time of temptation. Why? Because "he will have compassion on us."
Performs what it promises (v. 20): When circumstances surround and difficulties discourage, we have confidence in the inheritance of covenant promise, just as Jacob and Abraham did. Why? Because "pledged an oath," and God's own reputation is at stake.
Israel refused to respond to the warnings of the prophets to turn from their sinful ways.
In doing so, they missed God's great blessing and reaped His wrath.
May God grant us the wisdom and conviction to accept His mercy and compassion and to believe He is still trustworthy regarding His promises.
Passages of Scripture are from the New International Version Bible (NIV).........................
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