Reflect: God’s judgment is both righteous and forgiving.

Examine the last three verses of the book of Micah. The prophet first speaks to God, using the second person ‘you.’ Then he speaks to us about what God will do using the third person ‘he.’ The prophet ends his book with words once more to God, saying, ‘…as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.’

We can rest in confidence that God will never abandon us, but we must be ever vigilant to not abandon God. He will chastise us for our iniquities, true, but his purpose is to show faithfulness to those who so easily forget to embrace his goodness. God delights in clemency, even from our most foul behaviors, but God will hold us accountable until we become ready once more for his wonderful grace. We are ready for God’s ‘passing over’ our transgressions when we learn to show forgiveness to the transgressions of others.