Micah doesn’t just proclaim God’s words as a monologue, but he engages with the people. I don’t know about you, but I often picture our Biblical prophets walking through the streets or standing on rooftops calling out God’s proclamations.
The people are clearly in denial. They can’t imagine that what Micah is talking about involves them. It’s ludicrous! There must be some mistake. Do these people even know God? If they did, wouldn’t their faith tradition cause them to act differently?
Micah doesn’t back down with this resistance. He calls out the problematic behavior. If his words are troubling, he lets them know why that is. “If you would do what is right, you would find my words comforting.” Are you feeling comforted? Is seeing other people taking punishment beneficial so we don’t make the same mistakes?
Micah has a bit of an attitude, too. Prophets weren’t always popular because the truth of their messages often hurt. If you were a people pleaser, being a prophet would be a very difficult job. False prophets, on the other hand, would have no problem pleasing people with such nonsense as Micah throws out there at the end. Micah isn’t about to disrespect God or the message he was given to share.
When you hear bad news, how do you find comfort? From family, friends, words of Scripture, physical exertion, or something perhaps harmful like alcohol, drugs or even food? You know, I’m guilty of looking to “comfort food” when I’m having a bad day. Having spent years in the recovery ministry with my husband, I know how many of us look to other “fixes” for our problems, thinking we’re comforting ourselves.
There is one place we can all turn for comfort. When you feel ready to curl up under a warm blanket and just hide from the world, take your Bible. Here are some great verses you can turn to when you need comfort.
Psalm 27:12 – Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence.
Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
John 16:33 – “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 – Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you for the way your peace washes over me when I simply pray and ask you. Thank you for always showing up and providing exactly what I need. Forgive me for those times when I try to please others. May my focus be on pleasing only you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
