Wed.'s Devo - God is Faithful 12-16-20

Read: Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6 Micah sees Jerusalem being laid siege to before it happened. Just like Mary travailed to have Jesus, the Jews will travail for his second coming. When Assyria attacked, they would appoint seven rulers, eight princes to lead them. This pointed to the time when Jesus would die and God would appoint apostles to lead his people. They will be perfect and sufficient. As they invade Israel’s borders, their own borders would be invaded. The Messiah would be their deliverer. Their Christ-filled influence would affect many nations and be like dew on the grass. They would also be like a lion striking terror on their opponents which was exactly what the Maccabees did. They wiped out their enemies. God had forbidden them to have horses and chariots for war in Dueteronomy 17:16, but Solomon had disobeyed and had both. God promised to get rid of them and all the methods they had wrongfully depended on to win. God challenged them to meet him in court and give their complaints because he had his complaints. He took them through their history showing them his faithfulness to them and their rebellion. All he required is that they did what was right, love mercy and walked humbly with him as their God. They chose extortion and greed instead of his blessing and love. Micah felt alone in his walk with the Lord. He identified with God’s loneliness for his people. Even though the people were bent on wickedness, God would one day save them and be their light. Israel would be rebuilt and its borders extended. It would one day be a place that honored the Lord. Micah cried out for Israel that God would lead them once again as their Shepard. God promised to do mighty miracles in their land once again that would cause the fear of the Lord to fall on the nations. God promised to show his unfailing love once again for Israel. In Revelation, the four angel who stood at the four corners of the earth were about to blow on the earth to destroy it. Another angel came bearing the seal of God crying “Wait, Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” Then he marked 144,000 Jews who would come through the Tribulation believing in Christ as the Messiah. They would die, but God would receive them into his kingdom where he would feed them and wipe away all their tears. Lord, with you it is always a great ending. Thank you for your wonderful promises.