Sun.’s Devo - Blessing for the Righteous

Read: Micah 1:1-4:13; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 30:1-4 Micah means “who is like Jehovah” and he prophesied 700 years before Christ during the time when Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah were kings of Judah. He spoke to the people in Israel as well as the people in Judah. God was coming to judge the rulers and those who thought they were important on the earth. He blamed Samaria for what had happened to Israel, and Jerusalem for what had happened to Judah. God was going to expose her sins. Idolatry was being supported by the money made by prostitution. *** All the cities near by that would have offered help, couldn’t because they were also being destroyed. Power had gone to their heads and they lay awake at night plotting evil. They stole people’s inheritance just because they wanted it for themselves. God would reward their evil with evil and they would not be able to escape. *** Their enemies would rejoice in their downfall and mock them. What they planned for their own people, will be done to them. The people asked Micah not to prophecy such things. Micah told them that if they did what was right, he would be able to prophecy good things to them. One day, God would bring them back to their land and they will prosper. God would be their king and guide them. Right now they hated good and loved evil. But, they will beg the Lord for help in the times of trouble that were coming. *** God rebuked the false prophets for leading the people astray. They were motivated by bribes, not truth. They would be disgraced and put to shame. But, Micah was full of the Sprit of the Lord to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion. Jerusalem had become a city of murder and corruption. The priest taught God’s laws only for money and the prophets only prophesied when they were paid and they didn’t prophecy the truth. *** Mount Zion would be plowed down and Jerusalem would be ruins. *** Hope comes in Chapter Four. In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house would be the most important place on earth. People would stream there to worship. The Lord would settle the deputes between nations and weapons of war would become instruments of harvest. Nation would no longer fight against nation and everyone would live together in peace and prosperity. Jerusalem would become mighty and powerful and its kingship over the earth will be restored. *** The nations were gathering to fight against Israel, but they didn’t understand that they are the ones who would be trampled and destroyed. God will raise Jerusalem up to trample many nations and they will give the spoils to the Lord. *** In Revelation, John watched as the angel broke the first seal. One of the four living beings called out, “Come!” and a white horse came with its rider carrying a bow. A crown was given it. The second seal was welcomed with the second beast yelling, “Come!” A red horse appeared with a rider who was given a sword and authority to take peace from the earth. War and slaughter was everywhere. *** The third seal was broken and the third living creature cried, “Come!” A black horse appeared with a rider holding a pair of scales. Famine came with this horse. *** The fourth seal was broken and the fourth creature cried out, “Come!” and a pale green horse appeared. Its rider was named Death and his companion was the Grave. The two were given authority over one fourth of the earth to kill with war, famine, disease, and wild animals. *** The fifth seal was broken and the shout came from the souls of all who had be martyred for the word of God and his testimony. They cried out for vengeance. A white robe was given them and they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters were martyred. *** The sixth seal was broken and the earth quaked. the sun became dark and the moon became red. The stars fell to the earth and the sky was rolled up like a scroll. All the mountains and islands were moved. The powerful leaders of the world, down to the slaves, all hid in the caves and among the rocks. They cried for the mountains to fall on them. The great day of God’s wrath had begun. Lord, thank you that all the scary things in Revelation were not written to us but to your enemies. Thank you that you will punish the evil but reward the faithful. May we remain faithful to the end.