Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.
18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old. (Micah 7:18–20)
Throughout Scripture, God promises to provide for his people. He will pardon the sin of his people and will have compassion on those in need. God will never forget those who are his.
Because God never changes – his character always the same, his love always steadfast, his faithfulness enduring for all time – we can trust that in the promise of salvation that he provides.
We can trust that there will never be condemnation for those who are in Christ.
We can trust that whatever sufferings we go through now are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us.
We can trust that even in our weakness God’s spirit helps and intercedes for us according to God’s will.
We can trust that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God for us in Christ.
This God who was faithful to Jacob and loved Abraham is the same God that provides everything for us.
(Prayer)
Who is like you, o God, who pardons sin and passes over transgression of those that you love?
Who is like you, o God, who does not remain angry with his people forever, but who delights in his steadfast love for his own?
You are eternal and unchanging, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
If you marked our sin, who could stand before you? When we repent of our sin, you are a God who forgives completely, casting all of our sins into the depths of the sea.
If you remained angry with us forever because of our sin, none could stand, because we are weak and frail. But you are a compassionate God, who desires to remove sin from his people, from those who turn to you in faith and trust.
You are eternal and unchanging, one whose word stands forever.
Who is like you, o God, who shows faithfulness and steadfast love to his people forever?
Amen.