Based on “Our God Who Pursues”/LGG Journalpw3d1
Read: Micah 1:1-9; Micah 2: 3-13 (SOAP/2:12-13)
Micah delivers a message of both judgment and hope. While it is easy to gravitate to the hope his words bring, we must not neglect or misunderstand the fact that the destruction and exile they face are a result of their sins. In case you are among those who, like the Israelites in Micah’s day, believe that God’s patience cannot be exhausted – hear the warning of Micah from the LORD: “My commands bring a reward for those who obey them.” However, Moses warned in Deuteronomy that disobedience brings destruction. Clearly, many, if not most of the people had been infected/wounded by sin and drawn away from obedience.
“While the judgment promised may be hard to read, it is also merited. The people wanted their own ways over God’s ways, so God was giving them over to what they wanted. This would end poorly for the people of Israel and Judah. By understanding the judgment promised, we can better appreciate the message of hope. ”
LGG Journal/p95 of Our God Who Pursues
I love that even though God’s Holy character stood firm against the disobedient, He pursued the faithful ‘remnant,’ and by His mercy made a way where there was no way.
“I will certainly gather all of you, O Jacob,
I will certainly assemble those Israelites who remain.
I will bring them together like sheep in a fold,
like a flock in the middle of a pasture;
they will be so numerous that they will make a lot of noise.
13 The one who can break through barriers will lead them out;
they will break out, pass through the gate, and leave.
Their king will advance before them;
the Lord himself will lead them.”
Micah 2:12-13
Keep in mind that God’s pursuit and deliverance of His people comes not out of obligation but from a heart and character full of mercy, love, and grace. As today’s journal entry points out, when we understand this truth, “It allows us to worship Him as we should. We must understand both God’s divine justice as well as His mercy and grace. It’s in light of these characteristics that we can stand forgiven and free through the cross of Jesus Christ. What an incredible God we serve.1”
A personal note from me🦋: Be careful to remember that sin (or a wound as some translate it) is infectious, and no one is immune. After a full winter of illnesses that spread throughout my immediate family, the word “infected” (also translated as “wound”) in 1:9 grabbed my attention. Though our viruses/illnesses were not incurable as Micah described the Samaritans’ to be, they were rough and spread quickly and retentively from family member to family member and among the places we work. Having it once did not ensure you would not get it again. From upper respiratory infections to the flu and the new strain of COVID following Christmas, to another bout with the flu and the coronavirus in January and February – it has been a ‘long, hard winter.’ – My point is this – sin is infectious and we must careful to stay alert that it not grab hold of us. (1 Peter 5:8-11) – One other point from this analogy is that just like the illnesses kept me from work and the reward of those days wages (so-to-speak), the sin that infiltrates our lives, if left unchecked, can separate us from fellowship with our God.
Prayer of Response
Father, thank You for making a way where there was no way. Through Your mercy, love, and grace in Christ Jesus, we have been set free from the law of sin and death. Help us to stay alert to the enemy, and please guard us from the infectious sins that we encounter in our daily lives so that nothing and no one will hinder us from fellowship with You and the freedom to truly worship You. May we be faithful in confessing our sins so that we might enjoy Your faithfulness in forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.
The More We Know
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- Our God Who Pursues, p95 ↩︎
Me From the Inside Out 