Bearing the Indignation

“I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” (Mic 7:9 AV)

There is a great deal of maturity here.  Micah, speaking as Israel, is resigned to accept whatever the LORD chooses to do, knowing that when it concludes, the light of God’s presence and His righteousness will be the result.  To accept the indignation of the LORD without complaint or rejection takes humility and maturity.  This, of course, is future for Israel.  They have not fully accepted the consequences of their first Messianic rejection.  All the trouble they have experienced since the first century and what they are going through now is, in part, a result of rejecting Jesus Christ.  When they fully come to the end of themselves and finally accept the LORD’s indignation for their rebellion and rejection, no light nor righteousness is coming.  What is said of Israel can also be said of the church-age saint.  It takes a serious grown-up to accept the consequences of his actions without complaint or rebellion.  But the promise at the end of the verse is what motivates that maturity.  The desire for God’s presence and righteousness must be in the heart or maturity will not follow.

Over the years, I have had the privilege to help people who have gotten themselves into serious situations that were life-altering.  There have been marriages that fell apart, jail sentences, severe physical diagnoses caused by lifestyle choices, financial collapse, and a host of other situations.  When helping those who are repentant, how they approach the consequences they have caused determines their future with the LORD.  I have seen some who seek to place the blame elsewhere, circumvent their circumstances, and go on as though nothing serious had happened.  Rarely does it change anything.  The circumstances tend to circle back but when they do, it generally gets worse and not better.   I have seen those who go through hard times brought on by choices they had made, endure through it, and continue on the same path thinking they dodged a bullet that will never return.  Still, others endure the consequences but blame God for all of it.  These people are generally the minority.  Those who are genuinely saved seem to blossom after their divine visitation.  Indignation from the LORD comes, and their response is to repent and accept whatever the LORD deems appropriate for their actions.  They know they deserve much worse and are eternally grateful at the mercy of God.  Often, they experience intense spiritual growth that propels them far beyond where they were or think they would be.

Our reaction to God’s feelings regarding our choices speaks volumes of our maturity in Christ. There are several stages to this.  The most immature runs from circumstances like a child running from his father who holds the belt.  Then an adolescent will avoid the belt, but accept it with resentment.  The teenager will react with an attitude.  Somehow, he justifies his actions and determines correction is not warranted.  Or, he will find a way to condemn the inflictor as unworthy to inflict the correction.  But an adult will stand before a judge and confess his fault.  He may seek mercy, but in the end, whatever the judge determines is just and right.  He will accept it in silence and remorse.  He finds no fault other than his own.  This maturity is what every child of God should seek and strive after.  Accepting the consequences of life with a heart willing to turn, love, and obey is what we should covet.