When I read through the Old Testament I am amazed time and time again by God’s character. Let’s be honest, His people put Him through a lot! There are times where He seems like He is done with them and times when His love and compassion once again pours out on them in such incredible ways.

The other day I was reading through the book of Micah. Like many of those OT prophets he has some pretty difficult things to say to the people of Israel but in Chapter 7 I love this moment he has with the Lord.

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19 (NIV)

I’ve included the Message version too

Where is the god who can compare with you—wiping the slate clean of guilt,
Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people?
You don’t nurse your anger and don’t stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That’s what you love most.
And compassion is on its way to us. You’ll stamp out our wrongdoing. You’ll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. Micah 7:18-19 (MSG)

I just love that phrase “who is a God like you” before he goes on to list the reasons why. We have to remember that this was a time where there were lots of other gods that people were worshipping – all the surrounding nations had a variety of gods that they worshipped and sacrificed to.

Yahweh was different though but isn’t it interesting what set Him apart in the eyes of the prophet and the people.

• He pardoned
• He forgave
• He didn’t stay angry forever
• He delights in mercy
• He shows compassion…again
• He tramples on our sin
• Hurls our iniquities away

I just love this – thank you Father – who is there like you