Reading: “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”—Micah 7:18–19
Notice in these verses the astonishment of the man of God. As you ponder the glories and grace of God is this your astonishment also? He pardons iniquity and passes by the transgression of His people. Yes, in Jesus, the Son of His love, He has done all this and more than this, for He has taken the objects of His mercy into favor.
Secondly, the cause of all these unspeakable felicities is assigned: “because He delights in mercy.” It is from Himself, and His own free sovereign grace, that these blessings flow, not what the highly-favored objects merit, but what grace can do for them. Not what claims they have to His bounty, but how His grace can best be magnified in their salvation. Sweet and precious consideration!
Thirdly, He that delights in mercy will delight to turn again to His people. He will turn their hearts to Himself, and then His returns to them will sweetly follow to their great joy.
Fourthly, He will not only pardon their iniquity, but He will subdue their iniquities—not only take away the guilt of sin, but also destroy the dominion of sin. Not only cast their sins behind His back, but “cast them into the depths of the sea,” and so effectually shall they be lost, that if the sin of Judah be sought for, it shall not be found. Moreover, that fountain which God has opened in the Redeemer’s blood, shall more completely bury them than the congregated waters of the ocean cover any mountain or hill cast into them. Say now, Christian, do you not look up to God in Christ, and cry out with the prophet in the same holy rapture and astonishment, “Who is a God like unto thee?”
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