Micah: Justice + MercyParaugs

Why We Rejoice

By Lisa Supp

“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, ‘Where is the Lord your God?’ My eyes will look upon her; now she will be trampled down like the mire of the streets.” Micah 7:8–10 (ESV)

If you’ve ever been around children—at a playground, party, or in a classroom—you might hear these words: “My dad is bigger than your dad.” 

Whenever I read today’s Scripture, I feel emboldened. I’m reminded, yes, my God, my Dad, is bigger than anyone or anything—any enemy, any shame, any stronghold or addiction, or any self-seeking, destructive habit, choice, or lifestyle that draws attention away from Him. If there is darkness, He is the light. For He is a jealous Father, and His lovingkindness encompasses me and extends to the heavens (Exodus 34:14; Psalm 36:5). His faithfulness and mercy are deep and wide and high. My Dad is a very big God.

Like any good Father, He chastens; He corrects. He doesn’t allow me to sink in my sin when He has so much more to give at the other end of it. From His heart of mercy, correction takes form.

To meet God in His mercy, take a page from Micah who stood in the gap for the sins of Israel. With a contrite heart say to the Lord, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him.” In other words, “Lord, I’ve sinned against You, and I accept Your discipline and anger towards my sin.” Then, God will acknowledge your case and plead your cause (Micah 7:9). 

But wait, how does God plead a cause? Well, for the Israelites in 700 B.C. the words were a promise of hope and deliverance from their enemies. God would vindicate and restore them. Yet, there is more to this. Micah prophesies the ultimate vindicator and intermediary, Jesus Christ.   

Jesus is not only our Savior but also our Mediator—He pleads our cause (Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15). What cause? The cause we all are born into: sin. God’s dispute isn’t with us, but with the sinful nature inside of us that separates us from Him. It prevents the intimacy God wants with His people and offers no peace with Him. No amount of our own good works will help that (Ephesians 2:8–9). 

To rectify this, Jesus took human form—He lived, died, and was resurrected. Those who believe in Him gain a Mediator—someone to be the peacemaker and present them as holy and righteous to God the Father. 

Micah was right to say “Rejoice,” because those who believe in Jesus can boldly say, “Our Dad is bigger.” When the world is against us and people scoff and taunt, “Where is Your God?” we can point them to the cross and tell them what Jesus has done for us. We can rejoice over our enemy knowing Jesus has obtained the victory. 

Pause: What is the advantage of having Jesus as a Mediator? What can He do that you can’t?

Practice: Do you ever feel like the world is winning and you’re at a loss? Dive into 1 John 4:4 and you’ll see “you are of God . . . and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”.

Pray: Lord God, since You are for me, no one can be against me. Thank You Jesus not only for saving me but for continually interceding for me and for being the Mediator I need when I stand before You. Jesus, on that day, You will say, “This one is mine,” and I will enter into the glorious light and presence of God because of what You did on the cross. Amen.