Sunday, November 17, 2013

There Is No God Like Thee

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 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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