Micah 7

Micah closes with a warning to be careful of who we trust. This is then followed by and then: but as for me. I watch in hope for the Lord.

And then: but as for me. I watch in hope for the Lord.

That “but as for me” is one of the most important phrases in the Minor Prophets. It doesn’t deny the surrounding darkness. It doesn’t pretend things are better than they are. It just refuses to let the darkness set the direction. The world looks like this. But as for me.

The chapter ends with one of the most beautiful declarations of God’s character in Scripture. Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

And the very last verse: you will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

The promise made long ago still holds. Even now. Even here.