Who is a
God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity and passeth by the transgression of
the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he
delighteth in mercy.
Micah
7:18
Just as we have studied throughout the week; Micah again
calls us to remember the saving Grace that defines our Lord… No other god gave
of His son to die the must humiliating death known to man… No other god laid
down his life and rose three days later… These things all point to the mercies
that God pours out every morning upon His creation and it’s because of these
great things that Micah asked the question, “Who is a God like unto thee,
that pardoneth iniquity…” In reading this passage from Micah I am reminded
of a similar question which entered the minds of the Pharisee’s in the gospel
of Matthew; it is in the 9th chapter of his book that you will find
these verses:
Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own
town. Some men brought to him
a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man,“ Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the
teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain
evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins
are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But
I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to
the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got
up and went home.
I recall this passage in today’s devotion to make the point
that we serve a God who simply is above all others; just think about the paths that
He has paved and doors which He has opened for you and you will too be uttering
the words found in this prophetic book of Micah… What other gods can you call
on that have the power to save you, have the power over this earth and heaven?
What other gods can you call on that have taken the form of man, walked this
earth and conquered death and the grave…? Even when Christ died, the love of
the only true God still pardons our iniquity… Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was
pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are
healed.” Jesus was crushed so that we could be saved, He died that we might
live and he paid the ultimate price so that we could go free… Do you know of
any other god that loved you enough to sacrifice the life of His own son…?
Again Micah is asking a question which has yet to be answered… “Who is a God
like unto thee”, the mercies that have been bestowed upon our lives are
unmatched, the paths that have been laid by God could not be laid by anyone
else and I am sure that we all can vouch for the iniquity (wickedness, evil,
sin and crime) that God has pardoned us from… The bible says that at the name
of Jesus every knee shall bow, there is only one God, one savior and one Lord
who rules forevermore… As we examined the grace and mercy of God yesterday;
Micah continues to remind us of His love and favor today… He posses a question
that we all need to answer, who is like God that pardoneth iniquity?
What friend do you know that looks beyond your faults and sees your needs, what
friend do you have that is always there and will cleanse you of
unrighteousness!
There is no
man like God and there is no other god… If we were to receive what we deserved
we all would be perishing right now and hell would be our home, but through
God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy we have been given a clean slate and chance
for redemption! Continue this week to examine your life and remember the grace
that God has bestowed upon you; remember the bountiful blessings that have
already been given or placed in your life…One on the precious gifts that we
receive from God is forgiveness and a clean slate… Micah goes on to say that He
retaineth not His anger forever; so many of us walk around with a chip on our
shoulder, we are mad at the world and carry grudges to our graves… Where would
we be if God carried a grudge toward us, where would we be if God had a chip on
His shoulder for every time we disobeyed Him and fell short…? Micah reminds us
that God has chosen to forgive us and not carry out the penalty and judgment
that we deserve! “He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth
in mercy.” Be thankful that God delights in mercy; be thankful that He is
willing to withhold the judgment due to you… It is only by the mercy of God
that you are not consumed… This simply means, that you should be consumed, you
should be dead, you should be perishing, but thanks be to God that you have a
reasonable portion of health, thanks be to God that you have roof over your
head, thanks be to God that your cabinets aren’t bare… Because of the
provisions God has made despite your faults, look over the grudges your holding
and forgive others… Today not tomorrow, forgive and allow God to move. He
delighteth in mercy, God is cheerful to withhold punishment and provide a (n)
avenue to salvation… God has withheld certain death through His son and
continues to withhold His wrath wishing that all would come to know and adore
His name… What God do you know that pardons sin and extends love, what God do
you know that works on your behalf even when you aren’t working in His will…
The answer is Jesus Christ, the answer is the trinity, and the answer is the
Only True and Wise God our father… Remember the sins you have committed and how
God has forgiven you and taken you under His loving and protective arm… Remember where you were and how much God
has taken on to cleanse you of your filth; then learn to extend the hand of
forgiveness to others knowing that the hand of forgiveness was first extended
to you…
BE BLESSED!!!
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