在每年感恩節來臨之前，美國總統會在白宮迎接兩隻火雞的到來，然後讓牠們蒙總統特赦。這兩隻火雞非但不會成為傳統感恩節大餐的主菜，還能在農場裡安度餘生。儘管火雞無法理解那賦予牠們的自由，但這個不尋常的年度傳統，凸顯了赦免能夠賜予生命。

先知彌迦深知赦免的重要性，於是向當時仍住在耶路撒冷的以色列民，發出強烈的警告。彌迦用類似撰寫控訴書的方式，記錄上帝對以色列民的指控（彌迦書1章2節），這些百姓多行不義、貪圖非義之財、毫無誠信，以及崇尚暴力（6章10-15節）。

儘管當時以色列民有這些悖逆的行徑，但彌迦書的結尾仍充滿盼望。這樣的盼望根植於上帝應許祂不會永遠懷怒，而是會饒恕、「赦免罪孽」（7章18節）。上帝是萬物的創造者和審判者，祂以權柄宣告，不會按照我們的行為來對待我們，這是因為祂對亞伯拉罕的應許（20節）。最終，這個應許藉著耶穌的受死和復活成就了。

我們所有的罪，即未能達到上帝標準的行為，都可以得到上帝的赦免，這是我們不配得的恩典，能為我們帶來極大的祝福。當我們越發體會到祂那完全赦免的恩典時，就讓我們以讚美和感謝來回應祂吧！

Around the national Thanksgiving holiday, the US president welcomes two turkeys to the White House before granting them a presidential pardon. Instead of being served as the main dish of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, the turkeys safely live out the rest of their lives on a farm. Although the turkeys can’t comprehend the freedom they’ve been granted, the unusual annual tradition highlights the life-giving power of a pardon.

The prophet Micah understood the significance of a pardon when he wrote a strong warning to the Israelites still in Jerusalem. Similar in form to a legal complaint, Micah recorded God bearing witness against the nation (Micah 1:2) for desiring evil and indulging in greed, dishonesty, and violence (6:10-15).

Despite these rebellious acts, Micah ends with hope rooted in the promise that God doesn’t stay angry forever but instead “pardons sin and forgives” (7:18). As the Creator and Judge over all, He can authoritatively declare that He won’t hold our actions against us because of His promise to Abraham (v. 20)—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Being pardoned from all the ways we fail to live up to God’s standards is an undeserved gift that brings immense blessings. As we grasp more and more of the benefits of His complete forgiveness, let’s respond in praise and gratitude.