Micah and the Israelite people lived in a lot of misery. Micah’s book is a mix of explaining that misery, explaining how their misery is going to get worse, and then providing hope for what God would do in the future. God turns your misery to hope. He offers to rescue us from our misery because of His great love and mercy.
God Helps People In Their Misery
Micah 7:14-15 (NLT) O Lord, protect your people with your shepherd’s staff; lead your flock, your special possession. Though they live alone in a thicket on the heights of Mount Carmel, let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago. 15. “Yes,” says the Lord, “I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt.”
Micah asks God to protect his people from a hostile world. This is a picture of how God works with his people throughout all time. We live in a corrupt world, but just like there was good news for Israel, there is good news for us. God hears us in our misery. When the Bible says that God hears, it means that God is listening and He’s going to do something about it. But we also need to be honest. The corruption isn’t just out there in the world around us, the corruption is in me and you. This is what the Bible calls sin. Now is the time to admit that to God and lay it before Him. God is always ready to accept our repentance and restore us.
Everyone Who Rejects God, Faces His Judgment
Micah 7:16-17 (NLT) All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them. 17. Like snakes crawling from their holes, they will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will fear Him greatly, trembling in terror at His presence.
Micah writes these words about all people who reject God. This gives us encouragement for today. Don’t give in the temptation to go with the crowd. Choose God even when it’s hard. Following Jesus will be a challenge, but it’s worthwhile, and one day your choice to follow Christ will be vindicated.
God Rescues Us Because of His Love, Not Our Obedience
Micah 7:18-20 (NLT) Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. 19. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! 20. You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love as you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.
God tramples over sins and casts them into the ocean. This means that He no longer holds them against us. He puts them out of His mind. God promised salvation to these ancestors and He will deliver on it. And we know that God makes good on His promises because of Jesus. Don’t doubt God’s love, enjoy it!
Conclusion
Misery isn’t permanent in Christ. God may punish, but He will also bless. All those who refuse to follow Him will one day see the folly of their choice, but you can experience the forgiveness of God because of His great love for you!
