Who can be a God like You? You forgive iniquity and pass over the transgression of your remaining heritage? You retain no anger forever, because you delight in mercy and loving-kindness. You will again have compassion on us; You will subdue and tread underfoot our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. -- Micah 7:18-19 (self paraphrased)
While the Prophet Micah lived a very long time before Christ (about 700 years before), and Micah was sharing God's encouraging word to a people decimated by the Assyrians and Babylonians, This Prophetic Word became flesh, dwelt among us, and brought to us the same true message 2700 years later. This is an example of the longsuffering nature of God, as well as the long-enduring veracity of scripture teaching us to remain on track.
God has worked for thousands of years to get across the message that grace-filled saving is job #1. God early on worked directly with humanity to "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea," to not hold an enduring grudge against the many ways we can find to err against God. But this was not enough. Then God closed the distance and sought us out in human form preaching the same message, demonstrating the same commitment, and lifting all humanity for healing and purification of our souls.
Look ahead into the New Year and beyond. See there the continued leading of lovingkindness and feel the lure of transforming peace, security, and gentle shepherd-leading. Who could be a God like this? Adopt a new resolution of appreciation for this longsuffering God and be determined to follow in the steps of all the saints and martyrs who have gone before. Each day of following, each day filled with the prayer: "Lord, have mercy on me," is another day embraced in the everlasting arms.
Prayer:
Sustain my faith, embolden my journey with you O God of the ages. Embrace me as you have embraced all my ancestors and direct my feet into the life eternal. Through Christ, in Christ, and with Christ. Amen.
God has worked for thousands of years to get across the message that grace-filled saving is job #1. God early on worked directly with humanity to "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea," to not hold an enduring grudge against the many ways we can find to err against God. But this was not enough. Then God closed the distance and sought us out in human form preaching the same message, demonstrating the same commitment, and lifting all humanity for healing and purification of our souls.
Look ahead into the New Year and beyond. See there the continued leading of lovingkindness and feel the lure of transforming peace, security, and gentle shepherd-leading. Who could be a God like this? Adopt a new resolution of appreciation for this longsuffering God and be determined to follow in the steps of all the saints and martyrs who have gone before. Each day of following, each day filled with the prayer: "Lord, have mercy on me," is another day embraced in the everlasting arms.
Prayer:
Sustain my faith, embolden my journey with you O God of the ages. Embrace me as you have embraced all my ancestors and direct my feet into the life eternal. Through Christ, in Christ, and with Christ. Amen.
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