Walk On!

Sometimes God is viewed as just waiting for mankind to mess up so He can zap them. Though God's anger is noted through the Scriptures in view of the waywardness of mankind, His love is also magnified as He continues to provide opportunity for returning to Him. The Scriptures reveal times when God's judgment was swift, but we also find many examples of His gracious mercy and great patience.

Note the positive verbs in the closing of Micah relative to God and His desire.

"(18) Who is a God like you, PARDONING INIQUITY and PASSING OVER TRANSGRESSION for the remnant of his inheritance? He does NOT RETAIN HIS ANGER FOREVER, because he delights in steadfast love. (19) He will again HAVE COMPASSION on us; he WILL TREAD our iniquities underfoot. You WILL CAST all our sins into the depths of the sea. (20) You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our father from the days of old." ( Micah 7:18-20 ESV)

Rather than tromping us down, God's desire is to "tread our iniquities underfoot." (vs.19) Bear in mind Micah was speaking to a nation who had again and again turned their back on God. Still God had not completely given up on them. It was their sin, rather than they themselves, God desired to cast away; "cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." That's pretty deep! We have a God who is willing to remember us while forgetting our sins. ( Jeremiah 31:34) He finds no pleasure in the death of the wicked. ( Ezekiel 18:23 & 32; 33:11) That is why He has continued to provide ample opportunity for coming to repentance, not wishing for any to perish. ( 2 Peter 3:9)

God's character is marked by great faithfulness. With the mention of Jacob and Abraham ( Micah 7:20) we are reminded of God's faithfulness to His covenant which was ultimately fulfilled in Christ. It is in Him we receive our pardon. (note 1 John 2:2) Because God is willing to "walk on" (tread on) our sins, we are able to "walk on" in a right relationship with Him. God's steadfast love prompts Him to willingly forgive when we repent and return to Him. Praise God for such compassion toward us. May the faithfulness of God prompt that characteristic in us as we seek to please Him in all we say and do.

Have a great day REMAINING IN THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!
Carl

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