Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
Micah 7:8
Dear Church and Friends,
The daily news cycle can have a depressing effect upon our souls. So much bad news and uncertainty abound at this time. Of course, the news media loves the “if it bleeds it leads” stories and there’s lots of bleeding. Micah faced a similar problem in his day.
He was miserable over the condition of Judah. Thinks were so bad that he said, “The godly have been swept from the land.” We know that the Lord always keeps a remnant (think Elijah) but Micah couldn’t see it. Perhaps we can’t see it either.
His complaint is catalogued from Micah 7:1-6. But in verse 7 he turns a corner and gives us a remedy. It is a combination of repentance, confident faith, sovereign grace and future glory.
The Micah remedy is an apothecary’s compound of several biblical doctrines that form a wonderful medicine for times just like ours.
- Repentance is the first element. He says in verse 9 “I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him.” It’s easy to say others have sinned and blame them for how bad things are but the prophet doesn’t let himself off the hook and neither should we.
- Confident faith is scattered all over these three verses. He says he will “look unto the Lord,” and “wait” for him, and “I shall arise.” These are songs of faith sung by a heart full of God’s Spirit.
- Sovereign grace is also a marvelous feature. Phrases like, “God will hear me,” and “be a light unto me,” and “until he plead my cause,” and “he will bring me forth to the light,” all express the mercy and grace of God toward the prophet.
- The final element is future glory. The repentant, confident prophet says, “I shall behold his righteousness.” He looks forward to the blessing of presence. This is the sugar that makes the medicine go down.
I hope you will take time to meditate on this passage today and consider Micah’s remedy for yourself.
Poetry: The Elixir by George Herbert.
Teach me, my God and King, In all things thee to see, And what I do in any thing, To do it as for thee: Not rudely, as a beast, To run into an action; But still to make thee prepossest, And give it his perfection. A man that looks on glass, On it may stay his eye; Or if he pleaseth, through it pass, And then the heav'n espy. All may of thee partake, Nothing can be so mean, Which with his tincture (for thy sake) Will not grow bright and clean. A servant with this clause Makes drudgery divine: Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws, Makes that and th' action fine. This is the famous stone That turneth all to gold: For that which God doth touch and own Cannot for less be told.
Music: I Will Wait for You (Psalm 130) by Shane and Shane.
Prayer Request: Please lift up the Lomwe of Malawi and Mozambique
- (LOHM-way) – In early March, you were asked to pray for missionaries who were planning to travel to the provincial capital to renew their residency documents. The Lord faithfully brought together all the needed documentation; however, the missionaries themselves encountered a complication. Due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting border closings and lockdowns, the couple has been delayed in applying for residency renewal. Please pray that they will be able to renew their legal documents and find favor with authorities during this unusual time.
Catechism: The Principles of the Christian Religion. This is the last Q&A from the Irish Bishop James Ussher. I hope you have enjoyed a journey through an ancient Protestant catechism. Tomorrow we’ll start a new one.
- Question 117: What shall follow this?
- Answer: Christ shall deliver up the Kingdom to his Father, and God shall be all in all.
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
All my best.
Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.
Micah 7:7
The Bible Bistro 