Paul Zach with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘God is Nothing but Love’. Are these words you could say about God?

God is nothing but love

God is nothing but love

Dare to give all for love

Give yourself without fear

God is nothing but love

Today’s reading is from the Prophet Micah.

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff,

the flock that belongs to you,

which lives alone in a forest

in the midst of a garden land;

let them feed in Bashan and Gilead

as in the days of old.

As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt,

show us marvellous things.

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity

and passing over the transgression

of the remnant of your possession?

He does not retain his anger for ever,

because he delights in showing clemency.

He will again have compassion upon us;

he will tread our iniquities under foot.

You will cast all our sins

into the depths of the sea.

You will show faithfulness to Jacob

and unswerving loyalty to Abraham,

as you have sworn to our ancestors

from the days of old.

The prophet Micah recalls the way God rescues, leads, guides and cares for God’s people. Here is a God of compassion and mercy, who walks faithfully with us through life’s joys and sorrows. How do you experience God guiding and caring for you and your community?

What ‘marvellous things’ have you seen the Lord do? Recall moments when God has surprised you with unexpected grace, provision or love.

Micah recalls that God delights in exercising forgiveness and mercy. God casts our sins into the depths of the sea.

From what do you need to be released? Humbly offer this to God.

Imagine God carrying this burden for you and taking it far away. Accept the release, forgiveness and love God offers you.

As you hear the words of scripture read again, ponder what it means to live as one who is forgiven.

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Shepherd your people with your staff,

the flock that belongs to you,

which lives alone in a forest

in the midst of a garden land;

let them feed in Bashan and Gilead

as in the days of old.

As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt,

show us marvellous things.

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity

and passing over the transgression

of the remnant of your possession?

He does not retain his anger for ever,

because he delights in showing clemency.

He will again have compassion upon us;

he will tread our iniquities under foot.

You will cast all our sins

into the depths of the sea.

You will show faithfulness to Jacob

and unswerving loyalty to Abraham,

as you have sworn to our ancestors

from the days of old.

As this prayer time comes to a close, rest securely in the truth of God’s faithfulness and love for you. Know that God will never let you go.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen