Micah 7:18-19-“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. 19 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 may recognize the book of Micah. It is famous for prophesying that Jesus would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. However, this nice prophecy read with joy in the cold nights of December is found within a book warning of the dangers of sin.
The prophet Micah had a very serious message to the nation of Israel. The leadership of Israel and Judah has fallen to sin. They followed false idols and led the people astray from God. Israel has turned away from God to sin. Sin is serious and demands judgment, so God will use the enemy nation of Assyria to judge and destroy Israel.
Micah warns the Israelites of the coming destruction of the Assyrian empire. About 20-30 years later, around 722 BC, it happened. Micah’s prophecy came to fruition. Due to their sin, the northern kingdom of Israel was taken, and the citizens became captives… But there was hope.
Throughout the book of Micah, there are prophesies of doom and destruction. However, these are always followed with hope and God’s compassion.
The book of Micah ends with these words. God, “will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
Despite their sins and rebellion, God was faithful to His people. He preserved them through captivity and kept a faithful remnant.
Despite your sins, God is faithful to you as well. Our sins are a serious matter. We may not be worrying about a northern nation like Canada invading because of them, but every one of our sins leads to only one place… death.
However, God is faithful. God is compassionate. Micah’s other prophecy came to fruition when God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was born in the little town of Bethlehem. God has shown you compassion as He sent Jesus to be nailed to a cross to bear your sins. Now your sins are not just thrown into the depths of the sea, Christ took them to the depths of the grave before rising to life on the third day, never to die again.
Sin demands judgment. God has shown you compassion by placing that judgment on Christ on the cross. So may we take sin seriously. May we turn from sin to our forgiving and loving God with repentance. God is faithful. God is compassionate. In faith God has cast away all your sins. Amen
Word in Faith is a collaboration of Wayne Association of Congregations and Ministers (WACAM), an organization partially funded by the Wayne Community Chest.
