CV 2

CV 2!

Who is a God like You, who forgives wickedness and passes over the rebellious acts of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He [constantly] delights in mercy and lovingkindness. MICAH 7:18 AMP

We are introduced to another dimension of the God who calls men to Himself and demands they adhere to a code of conduct, laid down in His Word. At no time does God place His hand on a life and does not demand accountability and responsibility. We are not called to follow and serve a God who allows just anything; His glory and Holiness do not condone iniquity and His promise is that He will punish sin in whoever it is found. That rule has not been broken since the foundation of the world and we should not equate mercy with forgetfulness.

He punishes sin, yet He is the God of absolute mercy. He is the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world, yet He is the Lion of Judah, who can tear to pieces and none can save. He is the silent One who didn't open his mouth while been led to His death on a cross, and He is the Mighty One who will return to the blast of trumpets and fire. Today's extract captures both extremes: He has punished his people but left a remnant. If God didn't spare the people He called His own, I wonder what will happen to those who have been called in by grace?

Oh, today's extract says He does not retain His anger forever and He delights in mercy and lovingkindness. The problem is this: how do you know if you will be caught in His judgment or His mercy? In the journey of 40 years in the desert, God dealt with Moses, Aaron and Miriam, as well as all above 20 years, who left Egypt with songs of praise and a mighty hand. Yet, his mercy kept a generation of those less than 20 years, and Joshua and Caleb. We can only pray that God's mercy will find us in the midst of this perverse generation.

Judgement is coming; God's laws can never be broken. You can try and water down the Word; as long as you are not the source, you cannot determine its impact. If God says it, be sure it will come to pass. I ask for mercy for myself; If God were to mark iniquity, who can stand? But I rely on His grace to live right; I cannot live in sin and demand His grace to abound over me. What's your stand? His time of favour is here.