Max Lucado is a Christian author who uses his real-life experiences and homespun humor to share God’s message. He tells the story of when he had to undergo a heart procedure. The doctor explained that this cardiac ablation would cauterize and destroy the ‘misbehaving’ parts of his heart so that its beats would return to normal. The day of surgery, the doctor asked Max if he had any final questions, which Max didn’t think was the best choice of words. But Max asked: “While you’re in there abolishing the misbehaving cells, could you also take care of my greed, selfishness and superiority?” When the doctor responded that this was out of his pay grade, Max reflected that, fortunately, that’s not out of God’s realm. God is in the business of changing hearts.
The Prophet Micah, from our first reading, was also in the business of changing the hearts of the misbehaving Israelites. In this short book of only 7 chapters, Micah is warning Israel of their impending divine judgment if they don’t turn away from their greedy, unjust and rebellious ways. They were also oppressing the poor, and Micah championed those who were being exploited. Even though the people practiced their religion, it had little depth or meaning for them. He challenged their ‘pop religion’ with true faith that involved justice, mercy and walking with God.
Despite his dire warnings, however, Micah always offered the people hope. Today we heard Micah’s beautiful prayer to God. He prays to God the shepherd who will one day restore the people, rebuild Jerusalem, defeat evil and raise up a messianic King who will bless all the nations forever. Micah acknowledges God’s ultimate purpose is not to destroy Israel, but to show mercy, fulfill the covenant he made to Abraham, and to bless, redeem and save God’s people.
God was, and still is, in the business of changing hearts. In his prayer, Micah describes God this way:
“Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin…
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us.”
Of all those beautiful words describing God, one word we can reflect on in this passage is ‘again’…‘God will again have compassion on us’. Repeatedly, again and again, despite our many failings, God pardons and blesses us with loving compassion. What more do we need, again and again, to change our hearts?
