Who is Like Him?
Gordon Crook, PastorGrace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
We have a tendency to want to compare things and people to other things and other people. He’s just like so and so. She reminds me so much of such and such. However, there is no one and nothing to which we can compare our God. There is none like Him.
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy.” Micah 7:18
This is a great passage about our God. We are reminded that there is none like Him, no one we can compare Him to. God reminds us of this many times in Scripture. I think we often forget and try to compare God to something we think He might be like.
“Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” Exodus 15:11
“And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:” 1 Kings 8:23
I am especially impressed concerning His willingness to pardon us. There are really so many aspects of God that we could consider, and He is unique in every one of them, but I am especially impressed with this characteristic.
Imagine that God, the creator of everything that exists, including us (“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3), would be willing to pardon us. We were His enemies (“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” Romans 5:10, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled” Colossians 1:21.) We transgressed against Him, and, being a righteous God, He must judge that transgression. We deserve His wrath, not mercy.
However, God chose to find a way to judge the transgression without requiring it at our hand. There really is no god like our God. Who is there that is willing to pardon at their own expense?
There are certainly many god’s in this world that of man’s own making. They worship all sorts of things and persons, but none is like unto our God. Without exception, man must find a way to appease their god’s. They must do something, and come up with the required payment. Their god’s are angry, and vengeful. It even shows in their own actions of anger and vengefulness.
In Psalm 103, we see a description of God, and His mercy. Many think that the Old Testament is a record of an angry and vengeful God. Maybe even a different God than the New Testament. However, as we really study the Old Testament, we truly see a great God of mercy and compassion. He certainly is a just and righteous God, but what great mercy He displays. What great love. What great compassion.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; … The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.” Psalms 103:2-3, 8-11
There definitely is no god like our God, who delights in mercy. This fact should be of great comfort to us, as we rest on God’s mercy. It is a fearful thing to think about where we would be without God’s mercy.
Why is that some of God’s own people want to make Him into an angry and vengeful God? It just isn’t who He is. It doesn’t fit Him. The Word of God is so clear on this part of God’s character. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” Ephesians 2:4 “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Exodus 34:6 “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3
We would do better to rejoice in His mercy and love, knowing that there is no God like our God. “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;” Psalms 31:7. “O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalms 90:14
