SCRIPTURE: Micah 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in- law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. [Micah 7:6]
Micah laments how depraved society has become; there is no one good, no one you can trust, not even your own loved ones.
Is there anyone to trust, anyone to put your hope in?
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. [Micah 7:7]
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ [Matthew 10:34-36]
Jesus compares His day to that of Micah’s, and the same could be said today.
The world has always been a mixed up, messed up place where everyone, even those dear to us, let’s us down.
Who can we trust, who can we put our hope in?
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. [John 14:1]
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. [Micah 7:7]
When we put our hope in the Lord, we put Him before everyone, including our family.
Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [Matthew 10:37]
This may seem harsh, but it is actually the best way to love our family.
By loving the Lord first, trusting in Him and following His will, we will actually be loving and blessing our family as we ought to.
God is good, He will not require us to hurt others.
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. [Micah 7:18-19]
Sadly, people in the world do not get this.
When we love and trust God first, they see it as extreme fanatics, as religious fools.
Which is why families are divided, and believers are mocked.
But certain that no one can help us but God, trusting in Him more than anyone else, we cling to Him in hope, even when loved ones mock us.
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. [Micah 7:8]
PRAYER:
Lord, no one can help me (and us) but You. I trust and love You more than myself, my family, my friends – not because I don’t love them but because only by loving and trusting You can I really love them!
‘But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me.’
As I start this day, where will I see God. I live for Jesus a life that is true, striving to please Him in all I do. Put not your trust in horses – the power of men. See the wonders of God. All too often men put their trust in their false gods, the power of men, their saviours, the powers of the day, the would be’s, the false prophets. All too often we put our trust in our false hopes – man.
God is the answer. Who is like Him? Who forgives as He forgives? Who pardons as He pardons? Who is faithful as He is faithful?
As I see the international events of the world today, it is truly dark. Where do we go from here? It is dark – a fallen world – floods, famines, drought, murder, violence, distrust, stealing, hopes scattered and shattered, etc. As Micah proclaims, ‘The Lord is my Light’ My SonShine. And in that SonShine I need to walk this day. He upholds me in all I do and say.
That reminds me of a child’s song -a secular song – ‘You are my sun shine:-)’ However Jesus is my All in all.
All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.
Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make;
We are His folk, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise;
Approach with joy His courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless His Name always,
For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good;
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
The God Whom Heaven and earth adore,
From men and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore.