Appearance of the Peace-Maker
How culturally influenced is your knowledge of God compared to the revelation from the Scriptures? Too often, we perceive God so much like one of us that we no longer discern the distinction and importance of both His greatness and closeness. The consequence is that we often associate His benefits as the outcome of our effort and significance, rather than the product of His mighty and gracious hand. We all have the potential of sounding like Nebuchadnezzar, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power” (Dan. 4:30).
God revealed to Israel the true nature of their situation by exposing their sin and declaring their immediate punishment. They believed that being a Jew was equivalent to being blessed, after all, God chose them because they were worthy of blessing. Nevertheless, notwithstanding their pride and God’s promised judgment, grace, and hope became the closing words of Micah’s prophecy.
Meditate on God’s words as He describes the perfections of His grace, purpose, promise, and power at work on behalf of His people, and allow the Scripture to determine and define the appearance of the one making peace.
Consider:
- His character provides cleansing – Micah 7:18; Isa. 43:25
- His compassion proves comprehensive – Micah 7:19; Isa. 49:13-16
- His consistency promotes confidence – Micah 7:20; Isa. 55:3
Conviction:
- God can pardon sins to those trusting in Jesus Christ – Rom. 3:25
- God’s compassion can deliver us from sin – Rom. 6:6-7
- God’s record of debt against us He nailed to the cross – Col. 2:14
