God Speaks
How miserable I am!
I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest
who can find nothing to eat.
Not a cluster of grapes or a single early fig
can be found to satisfy my hunger.
2 The godly people have all disappeared;
not one honest person is left on the earth.
They are all murderers,
setting traps even for their own brothers.
3 Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!
Officials and judges alike demand bribes.
The people with influence get what they want,
and together they scheme to twist justice.
4 Even the best of them is like a brier;
the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns.
But your judgment day is coming swiftly now.
Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.
5 Don’t trust anyone—
not your best friend or even your wife!
6 For the son despises his father.
The daughter defies her mother.
The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law.
Your enemies are right in your own household!
7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me,
and my God will certainly hear me.
8 Do not gloat over me, my enemies!
For though I fall, I will rise again.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
9 I will be patient as the Lord punishes me,
for I have sinned against him.
But after that, he will take up my case
and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.
The Lord will bring me into the light,
and I will see his righteousness.
10 Then my enemies will see that the Lord is on my side.
They will be ashamed that they taunted me, saying,
“So where is the Lord—
that God of yours?”
With my own eyes I will see their downfall;
they will be trampled like mud in the streets.
11 In that day, Israel, your cities will be rebuilt,
and your borders will be extended.
12 People from many lands will come and honor you—
from Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt,
from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River,
and from distant seas and mountains.
13 But the land will become empty and desolate
because of the wickedness of those who live there.
14 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.”
16 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.
18 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.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding Micah 7:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
1. God is described in verses 18-20 as pardoning sin, forgiving transgressions, not staying angry, delighting to show mercy, having compassion, stamping out sins, removing iniquities, being true to those He chooses (and who turn back to Him), and keeping His promises.
2. People (in general) are described in verses 2-6 as not being upright, shedding (innocent) blood, hunting down and setting traps for even the people closest to them, skillfully doing evil, demanding bribes, dictating what they want, conspiring to get it, being prickly or dangerous, being confused as to what is right or wrong, not trusting or being trustworthy, dishonoring, or defying parents (or any authority figure), and engaging in household conflict.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding Micah 7?
Dear LORD God, help me to be honest and honor You even if I am the last person on earth to do so. I look to You, LORD, for help. I will confidently wait for You, my God, to save me. I will not listen to my enemies’ gloating taunts. I will patiently take Your just punishment for my sins against You. Afterward, You will bring me into the light of Your presence, and You will set things right. My enemies will see and be ashamed. The wicked people and nations will have to acknowledge Your great power and authority over them. They will stand awestruck and silent in terror before You, but You will bless those people and nations who have turned in repentance and faith to You. They will receive Your unfailing love, compassion, forgiveness, the removal of their sins, and Your faithful fulfillment of the promises You made to Abraham and Jacob long ago. You will receive all the glory forever. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to Micah 7?
- I will search out the lyrics and music for “Cleanse me (Search Me, O God)” a hymn by J. Edwin Ohr.
- I will ask the LORD to search my heart to reveal and remove any and all sins, especially the ones mentioned in Micah 7:2-6.
- I will join with others to praise God for all that He is, has done, and will do as mentioned in Micah 7.
- I will pray for God to send revival to my own heart, my family and friends, my community, county, state, nation, and world.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with ________.