398. Wednesday after Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity.
God, give us to see something
of the depth of thy mercy. Amen.
Micah 7, 18-20. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities: and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.
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This is the glorious issue of the judgments of God which were proclaimed to Israel by the prophet Micah. Such was the issue in the case of Israel: “Who is a God like unto thee?” The name Micah means: Who is like unto Jehovah? But that glory of our God at which the prophet marvels is his infinite mercy. In righteous anger he chastises us to make us penitent, in order that we put away our sins, and come over on his side; and then he “pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by transgression,” and “retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.” “As the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” So great is his delight in mercy that he gave his only begotten Son in order to have compassion upon us and save us. Must we not say in wonder and worship: “Lord, who is like unto thee?” — “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us,” says the prophet. He will “again” have compassion; let the troubled soul take note! If you now feel his anger, take notice that he says he will “turn again.” There is to be a change; the matter shall take a new turn, and have another issue. “He will have compassion.” Our iniquities are as enemies resisting us; they accuse us, attack our conscience, and want to kill us; but he will have compassion, and subdue them. Every time that old sins and evil desires and all manner of infirmities rise against us, he shall place his foot on their neck, and give us victory over them. “Into the depths of the sea shalt thou, Lord God, cast all the sins of thy people. Thou, thou canst hide them; thou canst cast them into eternal oblivion; thou only. I will confess them, nor hide one of them from thee.” — This is the right way, brethren! Come to God with all the sin of which you have knowledge; and it is engulfed at once in the bottomless sea of mercy. You shall lay bare your sin before him; he shall take it away and hide it. And do you think that the sin which has been drowned in these depths shall hereafter burn in your conscience? Can Satan kindle anew the spark which has been quenched in this great sea? Impossible! When he causes you to tremble in fear of eternal perdition he is practicing the art in which he is the great master, that of lying. But God is true, and his words shall stand: “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.” (Isaiah 43, 25). Your sin is not only forgiven, but eternally forgotten. — Thy oath, O God, can never fail; thou hast delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, and we shall serve thee without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life. Do also, we pray thee, “turn again” soon, and “perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham.” Amen.*
Grant us, dear Lord, from evil ways
True absolution and release;
And may we more than in past days
Increase in purity and peace.
Thy pardon give, and give us joy,
Sweet fear and sober liberty,
And loving hearts without alloy,
That only long to be like thee.
[suggested tune: Tallis’ Canon (TLH 558a); listen here]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.