Slideshow image

Israel's Misery

1 What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave.

2 The godly have been swept from the land; not one upright man remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net.

3 Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire – they all conspire together.

4 The best of them is like a brier, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge. The day of your watchmen has come; the day God visits you. Now is the time of their confusion.

5 Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with her who lies in your embrace be careful of your words.

6 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.

7 But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

 

Perhaps the most familiar verses to us from Micah are 5:2 about Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and 6:8 “He has showed you, O man, what is good.... act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”

 

Before today, have you ever read today's Scripture in Micah 7? Here, we see Micah expressing his sadness over a society that will be punished because God hates sin. Though given opportunity after opportunity to be the people He has called them to be, the people continue to sin. God hates sin but loves the sinner. If you continue reading through verse 10, Micah expresses the faith that in His time, God will bring His people through the punishment required by sin into His light once again, revealing God's compassion on His people, Israel.

 

What does reading Micah 7:1-6 make you think about? Today's world? Does it give you pause? We can make all kinds of excuses for our lapses in behavior, and others do the same. After all, God is love, and He will forgive. Today's Scripture reminds us that throughout history, man has been going his own way. As we read time and again in God's Word, sometimes He says, “Enough is enough.” Just like disobedient children, we need to have our course corrected. Sometimes this is painful.

 

However, God's plan, His intention is that we “be holy as He is holy.” In other words, that we be set apart and reflect His character. In His incomprehensible love, He has given us the help we need. This is not something that we are left on our own to do. Because of Jesus' death on the cross and our belief in His resurrection, we have been gifted with the Holy Spirit. It is He who enables us to choose God's way rather than our own.

 

Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for your love and grace. I would never get through this day without knowing that you and the Holy Spirit are walking with me today and every day. Help me to choose Your way today.

 

Sally Messmer star19mess@gmail.com