Connect Psalm 85:3 with another scripture about God's forgiveness and mercy. God Turns from Wrath — Psalm 85:3 “You withheld all Your fury; You turned from Your burning anger.” Echoed Mercy — Micah 7:18–19 “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion. He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Threads That Tie These Texts Together • God withdraws righteous anger in both passages. • Forgiveness is presented as a completed act—He “withheld” wrath (Psalm 85) and “pardons” iniquity (Micah 7). • Mercy flows from His character, not human merit: He “delights in loving devotion.” • Sin is not minimized; it is removed—“covered” (Psalm 85:2) and “cast…into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). What We Learn About God’s Character • Consistency—Old Testament passages harmonize in declaring the same merciful nature. • Compassion—He does not harbor anger; He actively turns from it. • Covenant Love—The Hebrew hesed (“loving devotion”) underscores steadfast, covenant-keeping mercy. • Power—Only God can both justly address sin and graciously forgive it. Why This Matters for Us Today • Assurance: If God once turned from wrath, He will keep doing so for those who seek Him (cf. Lamentations 3:22–23). • Motivation: Experiencing mercy fuels worship and obedience (Romans 12:1). • Hope: No sin is too deep; forgiveness reaches “the depths of the sea.” Living in the Light of Mercy • Remember daily: rehearse these verses to anchor your heart in God’s unchanging grace. • Repent quickly: His character invites honest confession (1 John 1:9). • Extend forgiveness: mirror His mercy in relationships (Ephesians 4:32). |
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