Micah Chapter 7
vs 4b The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm.
In the Old Testament, a prophet was sometimes likened to a watchman or a lookout. Just as a watchman stood on the city walls, ready to warn the people of any coming threats, a prophet was sometimes called upon to warn God's people of any coming judgment.
The prophet Micah stood as a watchman, warning the people of God's pending judgment. But even as he looked out, he also looked up so God's people could find hope in the God who hears. |
Ezekiel 33:7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me." |
In Micah's day, the fabric of society had deteriorated to a demoralizing degree. It was "every man for himself." No one could be trusted. Not even a family member. As Micah looked out, he could only see greed and immorality. Sin and faithlessness had crept into every area of life, both privately and publicly, as corruption reached every level of government. Micah compared the people to "briars" and "thorns," those who sought to hurt others, and he grieved the lack of basic goodness in God's people.
vs7 "But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."
Here, Micah echoed the prophet Elijah who once lamented that he was the only one left who still revered God. (1 Kings 18:22) But Elijah wasn't alone, and neither was Micah. God had preserved a remnant — a vestige of people who still looked to Him for their salvation and deliverance.
vs 9 Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case and upholds my cause. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.
We may suffer consequences for our choices and actions but God is quick to restore. We have an intercessor that pleads our case and restores us to a right relationship.
vs 14-15 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance,
which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago."As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them marvelous things"
After looking out, Micah turned to look up. And in doing so, he showed us how to respond in moments of crisis and uncertainty. As an intercessor, Micah looked to the One who could save and restore both the people and their land. With several allusions to the first exodus, Micah prayed for God to shepherd His people and lead them to the fertile land of their fathers, just as He did when He led their ancestors out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land.
Sometimes looking back encourages us to look ahead. Just as God was faithful in Israel's past, God can be trusted with Israel's future. The same is true for us. When we remember God's faithfulness in our past, we can trust Him with our future.
Sometimes looking back encourages us to look ahead. Just as God was faithful in Israel's past, God can be trusted with Israel's future. The same is true for us. When we remember God's faithfulness in our past, we can trust Him with our future.
Vs 18-20 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance. You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.
Micah knows that when we dwell on the characteristics of God, hope is sure to follow because God is infinitely all-powerful and all-knowing. He is full of mercy and grace. And His love knows no bounds. There is no one like Him. God is incomparable, matchless and peerless. Lift your hands in praise to the God who is over and above all else.
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Psalm 113:5-6 Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
Exodus 15:11 “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? |
As believers, we're on a journey of becoming more like Christ, but there are days when we get sidetracked. We look out and see the chaos all around us, and like Micah, we lament the sorrow that is so pervasive in our world today. Yet, while we're here, we have the opportunity "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly" with our God (Micah 6:8). And while we live this out, Micah reminds us to look up and not lose hope. Because we serve a God who hears our prayers.
A better future awaits those who look to Him. For wherever we fix our gaze, there we'll find our future days.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for being a God who hears us when we look to You in prayer. No matter the chaos around us, our hope is secure because Your promises are sure. When discouragement seeps in, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. Together, we join the chorus of the ages, remembering You as our mighty Deliverer. We give thanks for the many ways You have rescued us in the past, and we trust You with our future. For You are good and we look to You as our Savior, our Redeemer and our Healer. In Jesus' name, amen.