THE DELIGHT OF GOD

When we think of God, how do we think of Him? I am afraid that so many seem to think of Him as the all-seeing eye in the sky that watches to catch us doing something wrong. Have you ever considered these words from the prophet Micah: “Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing mercy.” (Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭18‬).

What is the delight of the Lord? What does He enjoy doing? He delights in showing mercy. Read it again. That is the God of the Bible. That is the only kind of God that would send His Son into the world to die so that we can be saved through Him. These are not things you have to understand. These are things you can believe and hold on to. You can trust in Him no matter what is going on in your life. And no matter how bad you think you have been or what you have done, He delights in showing mercy to you.

“Sins overwhelmed me, but you atoned for our transgressions.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭3‬). Oh, how we can relate to that statement. We have all been overwhelmed by sins. But God stepped in. God stepped in and atoned for our transgressions. Atonement means our sins have been paid for and taken away from us.

Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, our sins are taken completely away. They are removed as far from us as can be. Hear the prophet Micah again: “He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah‬ ‭7‬:‭19‬).

God has cast your sins into the depths of the sea. That means they will never be brought up against you again if you trust in Jesus Christ. That is the love of God. That is the mercy of God. When you turn to Christ, you are turning to Him to forgive you, and to have mercy on you. And that is what He delights in doing.

Dewayne Dunaway