Promises - Micah 4 (Week 2 - Post 2)

We are in the middle of Micah's second sermon.  For continuity ... begin your reading today with Micah 3 and then focus intently as you read Micah 4. 

When we began this study, I asked you to be sure that you looked for "grace" ... for "hope" ... for "redemption".  While God disciplines and judges sin and rebellion, He never leaves His people without hope and promises of life again aligned with Him.  Chapters 4 and 5 beautifully, poetically point hearers to that hope. 

Remember that Isaiah was a contemporary of Micah.  You can observe the closeness of their messages by   reading Isaiah 60: 1 - 3 and 10 - 14. 

 There are a variety of opinions over the timing of these things - how literal the promises are, how metaphorical they are.  Search your commentaries for scholars' opinions on such things.  Also, remember that prophecy has more than one fulfillment.  If you have driven to Colorado (or toward any mountain range) you are well aware of the way the different ranges appear from a distance to be one right after another.  But as you drive closer, you begin to grasp the great distances that exist between what looked close together.  Even prophets speaking these words often did not comprehend the various fulfillments of their visions.

Regardless, what an incredibly beautiful picture is painted here.  Do you see the peace, the unity, the provision?  Outcasts will be established as valuable. Wars will be over.  Fear will be gone. 

Micah reminds these people that, while very difficult days are coming, don't be in despair.  There is absolutely no reason for despair.  Because God has not abandoned you.  Do you need to hear that message today?  Whatever you may be facing right this minute ... don't despair.  God has not, and will not, abandon you.  You will be rescued!  Maybe not tomorrow ... or next week ... but we were designed to trust the hand, the mind, the plans of Jehovah God.  It's a choice.  Will you trust His hand in your life today? 

I love Psalm 119.  Over and over again David extols the value of meditating on the word of God.  Not occasionally ... daily!  One example is in verse 97:

Oh, how I love your law!

I meditate on it all day long.

Are you kidding - all day long?  What about the things that must be done in the day?  One of the ways I try to keep the word of the Lord in the forefront of my mind all day long is using cards with scripture that I want to "ponder" upon - to think about throughout the day.  Then I can carry it with me.  It can go in my car ... my bag ... on my desk.  I am claiming one of those meditation passages from Micah 4. 

Though all the peoples walk

each in the name of his god,

As for us, we will walk

In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

Let's together meditate on that.  Just what does it mean to "walk in the name of the Lord our God forever"?  What does it mean for your day today - tomorrow?  Maybe that is why the first people mentioned in verse 6 are the "lame" - those unable to walk.  The lame are going to be strong - able to walk in the name of the Lord.  So can you.  So can I.  We just have to decide that it is of primary importance. 

Let's choose it ...

Lord, help us want to walk in Your righteous name today.  Show us how to do that better than we did today.  Give us the strength to stay on that path even when the winds are powerful and attempt to blow us off.  We choose to walk in Your Name.