A friend of mine got divorced after her husband left her for another woman. Years later I was talking with her father when the subject of their broken marriage came up. “That’s when [vulgar word] was still around,” he said. “That’s what I like to call him: [vulgar word].”

I remember the conversation not only because of the salty vocabulary, but because—despite his faith in God—he seemed to revel in hate and bitterness.

In contrast, an attribute of God that absolutely captivates me is found in Micah 7:18. “You delight in showing unfailing love,” the prophet says. Micah prophesied to Israel and Judah during some of their darkest days. The nations’ rulers were unjust and wicked (Micah 3:9-10). Their priests were greedy and corrupt (Micah 3:11). It became so bad that they actually planned evil deeds—inciting God’s discipline (Micah 2:1-5). Yet even in this, Micah said that God delighted in loving His children. The prophet proclaimed that God would “trample [their] sins under [His] feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” (Micah 7:19).

There have been times when I’ve struggled with sin and felt too tainted to be God’s child. During those seasons, I’ve prayed the words of Micah 7:18-19 and clung to His unfailing love. On other days, when someone has hurt me emotionally, I’ve prayed that God would help me resist bitterness and show unfailing love—even to my enemies (Matthew 5:44).

All of us have been entangled by sin at some point, and all of us have also been mistreated by another. Wherever you find yourself today, remember that God is always ready to show kindness to repentant sinners. It’s not a burden for Him; it’s His desire, His delight. He forgives offenders and blesses the hurting (Psalm 130:1-4; Luke 6:20-22).

NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 19:1-25