Thursday, May 23, 2013

Teaching the Ways of God

Beyond the Present Time
Resurrection Hope
Hope in the Day of the Lord

Micah 4:1-5

The Message

The Making of God’s People

1-4 But when all is said and done,
    God’s Temple on the mountain,
Firmly fixed, will dominate all mountains,
    towering above surrounding hills.
People will stream to it
    and many nations set out for it,
Saying, “Come, let’s climb God’s mountain.
    Let’s go to the Temple of Jacob’s God.
He will teach us how to live.
    We’ll know how to live God’s way.”
True teaching will issue from Zion,
    God’s revelation from Jerusalem.
He’ll establish justice in the rabble of nations
    and settle disputes in faraway places.
They’ll trade in their swords for shovels,
    their spears for rakes and hoes.
Nations will quit fighting each other,
    quit learning how to kill one another.
Each man will sit under his own shade tree,
    each woman in safety will tend her own garden.
God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so,
    and he means what he says.
Meanwhile, all the other people live however they wish,
    picking and choosing their gods.
But we live honoring God,
    and we’re loyal to our God forever and ever. 

For Reflection
In the 8th century BC, Mica, the prophet spoke of a new church, more prominent than any church, would call all people to God.  There the people of God (to Jerusalem) would find comfort, sanctuary, justice and compassion.  It would be the place of learning and peace. Others would go about their business, but believers would ignore them and remain loyal to God.

Matthew Henry comments, "...we sometimes see the corruptions of the church, especially of church-rulers, princes, priests, and prophets, seeking their own things and not the things of God, and when we soon after see the desolations of the church..."

Even in the midst of mortal corruption in the church, the church of God will survive. It has survived such calamities for over 2000 years and will continue to survive.  The church belongs to God and God's promise is forever. 

Pray
for the Church, the sanctuary for God's faithful.

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