Towns

O. T. #2178  "Towns"

April 26, 2022

Micah 1-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Just in a week's time, the springtime rains brought green fields, trees leafing out, redbuds and dogwoods shining among the woods. And I am thankful for eyes to see the beauty of God's creation. I hope you had a refreshing weekend as I.

1 John 4:18 says, There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Are you afraid of the future, eternity, or God's judgment? Remind yourself of God's love . He loves perfectly (Rom. 8:38-39) God's love is perfect. The Greek word for love used here is agape, which means affection or benevolence; love; dear.

It is God's kind of immeasurable love for us. It is His kind of love that resolve our fears as believers in Jesus Christ, God's Son.

Everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Christian, don't think of it as a trial to determine your salvation but as the Judge's opportunity to evaluate the Christian life you lived. (2 Cor.5:10) In spite of our sins and failures, if we actively sought to minister in love to members of God's family, we will be able to stand with confidence on that day because "love covers a multitude of offenses." (1 Peter 4:8)

So we have no reason to fear our future. Just ask God to love others through you. His love quiets your fears and gives you confidence. 

Are your sins covered with the blood of Jesus? Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior?

When our works are put in the fire, will they come out as gold or will they be burnt up as hay, wood, stubble?

LET IT GROW

In the rest of chapter 1, Micah deeply mourned and personally grieved the coming destruction of Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah). He was from Judah and loved his family of Jews. Oh that they would only repent of their spiritual idolatry and turn back to worshiping only God.

Devastation was coming upon Judah and it would overflow up to the gates of Jerusalem. The Assyrians did sweep through the northern kingdom  (722 BC) and threatened the very gates of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC). They had been warned by the prophet Isaiah.

The Assyrians were a strong army under Sennacherib. Micah mentions specific towns conquered. Take a look at the meanings of each one:

• Gath-Weep-town, but they were not to weep at Weep-town;
• Aphrah-Dust-town, putting dust upon the head was a sign of the deepest grief;
• Saphir-Beauty-town, as the inhabitants passed away, nothing is known about them;
• Zaanan-March-town, which did not march after conquered;
• Maroth-Bitter town, which had a bitter report of the Assyrians coming instead of a good report;
• Lachish-Horse-town, which had great stables, but the horses were used in worship of the sun god Apollo;
• Moresheth-gath-Home town of Micah;
• Achzib-Lie-town, where its inhabitants were given over to lies.

[Resource: The Prophets Jonah and Micah by J. Vernon McGee]

Verse 16 refers to the sorrow shown by shaving of the heads when the children were taken away captive or killed. No wonder Micah was mourning as God revealed to him the future of the cities in Israel and Judah. Who wouldn't?

Folks, do we mourn over the spiritual condition of our nation, our state, our city, our neighbors? How it should sadden us! Are we praying for repentance, a turn around in behavior and  godly laws and leaders?

LET IT GO

Live until we die, helping and loving others to Jesus.

Stand up against sin, sinful laws, for the glory of God.