The NIV 365 Day Devotional

The God of Judgement and Mercy

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. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

Micah 7:18-20

The prophet Micah presents the two opposite traits of God. God is a God of judgment, but he is also a God of mercy. Micah prophesies that Judah will face God’s anger and judgment for rejecting him as their God. Micah 6:13 says it clearly: “I have begun to destroy you, to ruin you because of your sins.” Judgment from God is already beginning. Soon Judah will go as prisoners to Babylon. Micah ends his book, however, with a reminder that God is also a God of mercy. He loves his people and will eventually forgive them and return them to their homes.

REMEMBER: We serve that same God of judgment and mercy today. However, we have Jesus. He stands right between God’s judgment and mercy, recognizing our need to be judged for our sins but offering mercy in its place. If we follow Jesus and turn away from wrong, Micah’s promise to Judah can be our promise. God will “hurl” all our sin “into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).

Taken from the NIV Kingdom Girls Bible.