Where is God? Who is God?

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. (Micah 7:18)(NKJV)

As Micah’s prophecy draws to a close, he begins a psalm or hymn of praise (Micah 7:8), praising the Lord for His watchful protection over His people. Looking into the future, Micah can foresee a time of restoration, when the Lord will gather Israel as a shepherd gathers sheep (7:14), and the ruined city of Jerusalem will stand again (7:11-12).

In the meantime, however, as the people endure God’s judgment, their enemies mock them with the defiant question, “Where is the Lord your God?” (7:10). It is a question often thrown at God’s people by those who have no fear of the Lord (Ps. 42:3, 10; Mt. 27:41-43; 2 Pet. 3:3-4). Yet the question will come back to haunt those who ask it when the Lord vindicates His people.

This leads Micah into worship. “Who is a God like You?” he asks rhetorically (Micah 7:18). The answer is evident: no one! Only the Lord of mercy is capable of pardoning sin (7:19-20).

The merciful God still pardons sinners today. He invites us to come to Him as we are, in order that He might remake us as He is. Where is God? He is ever-present with those who fear Him. Who is God? He is the Lord of mercy, compassion, and justice.

—from the Word in Life Study Bible by Thomas Nelson Pub.

How Can We Develop Wise Hearts?

 

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad; my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. (Prov. 23:15-16)(NIV)

Developing a heart that is skilled in following God's ways requires exceptional commitment. Because of sin, we enter this world with a spiritual "heart disease". The heart, the inner control center that thinks, feels and makes choices, is clogged with all kinds of evil thoughts, sexual perversions, deceit, pride and foolishness.

Bringing healing to our hearts begins with a passionate fear of the Lord (Prov. 23:17). It requires distancing ourselves from people who will lead us into a life overdosed on pleasure (Prov. 23:21). We must weed out evil thoughts, desires and motives (Prov. 4:23), and fill our minds with true, pure, admirable thoughts (Phil. 4:8). We must listen carefully to the right sources of input (Prov. 23:19,22). Believers who are aware of God's wrath against sin and the brevity of life will give their days to the pursuit of a heart of wisdom (Ps. 90:12).

--from the Quest Study Bible by Zondervan

A Prayer for Mercy and Knowledge

Almighty and most merciful Father, whose mercy has kept me from the grave, grant that I may reflect on my past life and repent of the days and years in which I ignored your grace and neglected my salvation. Help me to use the time you have given me, so that I may become more diligent in the studies you have given me. When at last I shall be called in judgment, may I be received as a good and faithful servant into everlasting happiness. For the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Adapted from a prayer by Samuel Johnston (1709-1784)

 

No Other Name

 

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)(ESV)

One of the great tragedies of the age is that countless thousands are trying every way conceivable to reach heaven. Many are looking to good works as a ticket to heaven. Surely a righteous God is not so unjust as to overlook their labor of love, they reason. 

Others look to church membership, baptism, confirmation, and other ordinances to save them. They forget that these have no redemptive power. The load of sin weighing heavily on each of us can never be lifted by good works, sacraments or ordinances.

According to God’s infallible Word, only one Name can bring salvation. It is not the name of Mary or any other human agency. It is the name of Jesus Christ alone. He paid the price for our salvation in His finished work on the cross. Only in, and by Him are our sins forgiven and our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life— if indeed we place our trust in that finished work.

Human morality can never save anyone. “We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment..”(Isa.64:6)(ESV). Man’s pride dislikes to hear such blunt truth about his foolish efforts at reformation. Though he may reform his life, it is not in him to bring about regeneration and transformation. Only the quickening power of God’s Holy Spirit can accomplish that after a person has been awakened to his need, convicted of his sin, led to repentance and then has exercised his God-given faith to receive all that has been done for him by God’s dear Son.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but it’s end is the way to death.”(Prov.14:12)(ESV). “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”(Jn. 14:6)(ESV). 

May we seek that way which leads to everlasting life.

—David R. Enlow

The Lord is our Rock

 

For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? (Ps. 18:31)(NIV)

We often hear that the Lord is our rock, but we don't always realize what this means. A rock in ancient Israel provided security in two ways: It served as a bulwark against attacking armies, and it provided an immovable foundation for great buildings. David realized that God was an unshakeable foundation for his faith, and he often ran to this refuge to regain his strength. We can find our security in the Lord as well. Let us praise God that He is our rock, upon which we can confidently build our life and faith.

O God our Rock, our hope rests in you. We praise you for your strength, and we thank you for the security we can find in you. Teach us to build our faith upon you, for you are unshakeable. Amen.

(from the Praise & Worship Study Bible -Tyndale House)