Micah 2:12–13
Their king passes on before them, the LORD at their head. – Micah 2:13
Click to read passage
Brothers and sisters, have you ever been to a large event? When a National Day celebration or Chinese New Year event ends, the walkways are often packed with people. Young children can only see the backs of the adults around them. With no way to see the exit, they can easily feel afraid. The adults gather the children around them, check that no one is missing, then hold their hands and lead the way through the crowd.
Micah also describes God gathering His people and leading them. Their situation, however, was far more serious. Those in power were taking people’s fields and houses and oppressing the weak. The people also refused to listen when God rebuked them. Micah declared that God would judge them for these sins, and they would lose the homes where they had lived in safety.
Yet even as God announced judgment, He gave them hope. He promised to gather the remnant of Israel like a shepherd gathering his flock. He would also open the way for them: “Their king passes on before them, the LORD at their head” (v. 13). God had not abandoned them, so they still had reason to hope.
We too need this mercy. Sometimes we know that our actions hurt others, yet we refuse to change. We scold our children with harsh words, then insist, “It’s for your own good.” When we argue with someone, we keep pointing out their faults but refuse to admit our own part in the problem. We want God to help us, yet we may be unwilling to accept His correction. Sin draws us away from God and damages our relationships with others.
Jesus came among us to seek the lost. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again, bringing us back into a right relationship with God and gathering us together as His people. We can come before Him, confess our sins, ask for His forgiveness and learn to obey Him.
Today, God continues to teach us through the Bible. Perhaps we need to apologise to someone we have hurt, learn to speak kindly, stop taking advantage of others, or ask fellow believers to help us overcome a bad habit. Change may be difficult, but the Lord who redeemed us will lead us. We can depend on Him and take a step of obedience.
Reflection:
Is there something in your life that needs to change, but you find it hard to take the first step? God has promised to make a way and lead you. How will you put His word into practice today?
Prayer:
Loving God, forgive us. We often ask for your help, but we can be stubborn. We do not want to listen to you or admit when we are wrong. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us and bring us back to you. Help us to trust you to make a way for us and lead us. When we find it hard to change, give us the strength to do what you teach us. Help us to support one another as we follow you together. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Click to read passage
Brothers and sisters, have you ever been to a large event? When a National Day celebration or Chinese New Year event ends, the walkways are often packed with people. Young children can only see the backs of the adults around them. With no way to see the exit, they can easily feel afraid. The adults gather the children around them, check that no one is missing, then hold their hands and lead the way through the crowd.
Micah also describes God gathering His people and leading them. Their situation, however, was far more serious. Those in power were taking people’s fields and houses and oppressing the weak. The people also refused to listen when God rebuked them. Micah declared that God would judge them for these sins, and they would lose the homes where they had lived in safety.
Yet even as God announced judgment, He gave them hope. He promised to gather the remnant of Israel like a shepherd gathering his flock. He would also open the way for them: “Their king passes on before them, the LORD at their head” (v. 13). God had not abandoned them, so they still had reason to hope.
We too need this mercy. Sometimes we know that our actions hurt others, yet we refuse to change. We scold our children with harsh words, then insist, “It’s for your own good.” When we argue with someone, we keep pointing out their faults but refuse to admit our own part in the problem. We want God to help us, yet we may be unwilling to accept His correction. Sin draws us away from God and damages our relationships with others.
Jesus came among us to seek the lost. He died on the cross for our sins and rose again, bringing us back into a right relationship with God and gathering us together as His people. We can come before Him, confess our sins, ask for His forgiveness and learn to obey Him.
Today, God continues to teach us through the Bible. Perhaps we need to apologise to someone we have hurt, learn to speak kindly, stop taking advantage of others, or ask fellow believers to help us overcome a bad habit. Change may be difficult, but the Lord who redeemed us will lead us. We can depend on Him and take a step of obedience.
Reflection:
Is there something in your life that needs to change, but you find it hard to take the first step? God has promised to make a way and lead you. How will you put His word into practice today?
Prayer:
Loving God, forgive us. We often ask for your help, but we can be stubborn. We do not want to listen to you or admit when we are wrong. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us and bring us back to you. Help us to trust you to make a way for us and lead us. When we find it hard to change, give us the strength to do what you teach us. Help us to support one another as we follow you together. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.