Micah is not bringing news of great joy. His predictions of the Lord’s coming do not call for a triumphant entry full of praise. God’s anger toward his people was burning bright, and we are given a glimpse at the path the conquerors will take in destroying the land of Israel and Judah.
Micah is beside himself with grief. Israel is where it will all begin, but his own homeland in the southern kingdom is not secure. Micah uses such descriptive language to describe his own emotional state. “I will mourn and lament. I will walk around barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.” Have you had a time in your life when you have felt so desperate? How did you get through that time?
The people were so lost in their sinfulness, there was no hope. God was not going to turn back on his plan of destruction for their wounds were too deep to heal. The people of Judah had been infected, too, by association. Like an epidemic, sinful practices had spread even to Jerusalem. These sins had become incurable because the people had refused to repent and trust their heavenly Father.
You would think that knowing something bad was going to happen would ignite a sense of fear and dread. It did for Micah, and he expected others would react likewise. What do you do when you know something bad is about to happen?
The problem is we don’t have a “Micah.” We usually don’t have a warning to respond to. We have no idea when our sinfulness is going to catch up to us. Isn’t that what happened here to Micah’s audience?
Sin has a way of spreading like wildfire. From reading this text and others that teach us about sin, we know that sin separates us from God. When we are separated from our creator, the one who loves us unconditionally, bad things happen. Even when we’re devout followers of Christ, bad things still happen because the corruption of sin is pervasive.
What can we expect from God these days? We can have confidence that we are not alone. Even when bad things happen, God is there to catch us. We can trust our God because he is always faithful. Psalm 31:3-5 says, “You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.”
How do we respond to that? We can listen to the guidance in Hebrews 10:23. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” Indeed. We have a God who is crazy about us and who wants the very best for us. We can rely on and trust his many promises.
The future of the original hearers of Micah’s pronouncement from God was set. They were heading for exile and death. Their idols and false teachings would not be saving them. We don’t have to fall prey to the same mistakes. What did you take from your reflection on this passage today?
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for being faithful. I trust you and praise you with my whole being for the blessings you have given me. I know challenges will come, but I also know that you are there to rescue me. You have given me your power; may I cherish it and use it well. Forgive me for the times I question what is happening and let worry creep in. Your promises are true and my future with you is secure. I have no other desire than to be your precious child. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
