A Balanced Approach - Micah

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 7:18-19

There may be nothing more difficult than finding balance. Between work, family, church, and friends, it’s sometimes hard to know how to divide your time and energy and make the best use of your resources.

The Bible is largely a book about finding balance between work and play, God and other people, faith and deeds—and between God’s hatred for sin and his desire to completely forgive the sinner.

The Old Testament prophet Micah had a grasp on that kind of balance.

Most of Micah’s message seems anything but pleasant. Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah who called the nation of Judah to repentance. He railed against false prophets, political corruption, and the spiritual apostasy that had overtaken Judah’s culture. He preached against greed, selfishness, and exploitation, and he stood up for the poor and the oppressed.

Micah’s prophecy balanced the message of judgment with God’s promises of blessing and forgiveness. He insisted that God longed to do good to those who would forsake their sin and return to him.

Micah’s word from God championed a balanced approach to spiritual things. Though he never shied away from pointing out the consequences of sin, Micah also gave his repentant hearers hope for better things ahead.

Micah had a keen sense of these things because he knew that his heavenly Father loved him and delighted in forgiving his sin.

Are there people in your life who need to see both sides of God’s nature? When you point out their need for God’s forgiveness, also tell them that your heavenly Father has blessed you and forgiven you completely.

As a man whose sins Jesus has removed for good, you’re an example of your heavenly Father’s balance in dealing with sin. He didn’t have to forgive you, but he did, just because of your faith in his Son, Jesus Christ.