I came across this in my Bible reading today:
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
19 He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.
20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob
and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
from the days of old. – Micah 7:18-20
Micah’s words throughout his book of prophecy are hard; the indictment on Israel is severe, and Micah describes a world that is not unlike our own. Hatred is unchecked; murder is rampant, and wisdom says to trust no one. And yet, Micah, I will wait for the Lord and his salvation. The Lord hates disorder and the lack of shalom in the world because of sin – he hates it and will bring judgment. It’s in his nature to do that and he was willing to do that with his own Son, who bore the sins of believers on the cross. That is the place where the justice of God and the mercy of God meet.
But look at those words of comfort from Micah at the very end of his book. Chapter seven is the final chapter. His anger is not long, he delights in shalom, in peace, and has made peace with us, sinful people. He is a God of compassion and one who loves to save sinners. Does he hold on to resentment? Of course not, but instead he casts our sins into the abyss, into the depths of the sea. His plan of saving people and drawing people to himself will not be void – but those promises made to Abraham and his descendants will be true – you will be blessed, you will experience the blessing of God forever!