MICAH 7:18-19 – “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. 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.”

THEME OF THE DAY: THIS IS OUR GOD.  The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote three words in the fortieth chapter of the book bearing his name.  These three words are very thought provoking.  They define what is our chief pursuit in life as Christians.  They also give us a clear preview of what lies ahead for us.  They are “Behold your God” (Isaiah 40:9c).

In thinking on the words “Behold your God”, what comes to mind?  At least two things . . .

First, the exhortation or something we are to do – Behold.  The word is not just a quick passing thought. It appears throughout the scripture and when it does, the meaning is rich.  To behold is to set our attention upon, to be fixed, and with the intent to mentally, spiritually, and emotionally be gripped with the object we are to behold.

The second thing coming to our mind with Isaiah’s words is the object we are to behold – God.  This does not mean literal seeing. That is going to happen soon.  For now, it means we fix our minds and hearts upon God as He reveals Himself through His Living Word, His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and that through His Written Word, the Bible.

What comes next is to ask ourselves a series of self-examination questions – (1) What is my picture of God? (2) What is the source within me creating this image of God – my own reasoning, experiences, feelings, or the Bible? (3) Do my thoughts of who and what God is like cause me to draw closer to Him, love Him more, and be more desirous to know and be with Him?

If our thoughts of God are biblical, the latter part of the third question will be true!  If not, we will paint an inaccurate portrait of God. He will not be a loving Father, a merciful Savior, and a patient Lord Jesus. And if our understanding of who God is and what He is like does not rest entirely on the scriptural description, our Christian life will suffer. It will be stunted, joyless, and void of biblical reality.   However, if we ground our picture of God and discipline our minds to think of Him as He has revealed Himself to us in scripture, we can expect a joy-filled Christian life walking close to our God.  And what would the Biblical picture of our God be?  Today’s scripture.

Our God is quick to forgive sin, slow to anger, delights in showing forth love, abundant in compassion, and so removes our sins from us that they are in the depths of His sea of non-remembrance.  Who would not want to walk close to such a God?

Let’s behold Him as He really is not as we may think He is. The prophet Micah writes of our God – “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. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” of His non-remembrance.  That is a God to behold now and forever!

PRAYER: Father, may I learn to see You as You are revealed in Your Word and not as I may think You are.

REFLECTION:  Study to know the truths of God so that we might deepen our knowledge of God.