Tues.’s Devo - The Promised Messiah -

Read: Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6 Micah prepares them for war saying that their king (Zedekiah) will be smacked in the face with an iron rod. Then Micah goes straight into the promise of the Messiah which will come from Bethlehem. This ruler will have its origins in the distant past - from of old, everlasting. He will be God’s ambassador and son. *** God’s people will be in bondage until Mary has her baby and then they will come back from exile. Jesus will lead his flock with the name of the Lord. This is not only talking about the first coming but the second when the Lord will return and set up his earthly kingdom. He will be the source of peace. *** The Assyrians in verse 6 refers to their enemies in general. Nimrod refers to Babylon which will fall. The remnant will not be deterred but will take their rightful place over the seven mountains of society. They will stand up to their enemies and succeed. All pagan worship will end and God will pour out vengeance on those who worship Satan. *** Israel was brought to God’s court and questioned. She was asked why she grew tired of following the Lord. God reminded her of all the times he saved her, took care of her and blessed her. God showed Israel what he required which was to do what was right, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. Instead, the rich became rich by extortion and violence. All the citizens lie so God had no other choice but to bring a ruin to their sins. He will take away their wealth that they trusted in and got deceitfully. *** They kept the laws of evil Omri (who was represented in our day by Bush Sr.). And, they followed the example of wicked King Ahab (who was represented by Bill Clinton in our day). Because of this, they would be treated with contempt and mocked by all. America has definitely been laughed at by other nations because of these two presidents. *** Micah felt like the nation had been picked like a fruit tree of all the righteous people. This is the time of confusion and we are living through it. People of their own household turned on each other because of what is happening on the earth. *** Micah is our example of how to navigate this time. He looked and waited on the Lord to act. The Lord was his light and his salvation. He trusted that God would take up his case and judge fairly. *** He saw the day when Israel would be rebuilt and blessed. People from all over the world would come to worship the Lord. The world will stand in amazement of what the Lord will do for his people. Many will repent and come to the Lord. God will show us his faithfulness and unfailing love, just like he promised. *** In Revelation, John saw the four angels who watch over the north, south, east and west. They had been given power to harm the land and the sea and kept back the four winds so they wouldn’t blow on the earth. An angel came from the east carrying the seal of the Lord. He shouted to the 4 angels and told them to not strike until they had placed God’s seal on the foreheads of his saints. They sealed 144,000 - 12,000 from each tribe. Then a crowd from every nation and tribe and people stood before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They shouted, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and front the Lamb!” All heaven bowed in worship. *** One of the 24 elders asked John who these were who were clothed in white and where they came from. When John didn’t know, he answered that these were those who had died in the great tribulation and had washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb who made them white. That was why they could stand before God and all their sorrows were over. *** Lord, we are living in these days where sin abounds but sin is also being dealt with. Thank you for godly men and women who are fighting the good fight of faith for us and for You. May your kingdom come! May we wait patiently for your to act, putting all our trust in You.