Jan 10, 2023

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.

Psalm 122:1

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." (HCSB)