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 sent His only begotten son to die the most
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… 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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