Micah’s Praise For God’s Compassion

O LORD, protect your people with your shepherd’s staff;

lead your flock, your special possession.

Though they live alone in a thicket

on the heights of Mount Carmel,

let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead

as they did long ago. . . .

Where is another God like you,

who pardons the guilt of the remnant,

overlooking the sins of his special people?

You will not stay angry with your people forever,

because you delight in showing unfailing love.

Once again you will have compassion on us.

You will trample our sins under your feet

and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

Micah 7:14, 18-19

In the course of his calling as a prophet to Judah, Micah often spoke with God as well as for God. He had a clear understanding of God’s hatred of sin. This understanding enabled him to warn the people in no uncertain terms of God’s coming judgment. But he also was intimately acquainted with God’s compassionate nature. Though God might be justified in wiping out an entire nation, he consistently pardoned sinners who repented of their ways. In a beautiful word picture, Micah described God throwing the sins of his people into the depths of the ocean.

Today, we can approach the same merciful God. He wants to forgive those who turn away from their sins.

• O God, who delights in showing unfailing love, restore me . . .