Saturday, January 28, 2023

today's meditation (Micah 3) Asking for Help

(Dear Lord Jesus, guide me and give me insight as I read and study Your word, and let it be the meditation of my heart...)

(Micah 3:1-12) And I said,

     “Hear now, you leaders of Jacob 
     And rulers of the house of Israel:
     Is it not for you to know justice?
2   You who hate good and love evil,
     Who tear off their skin from them 
     And their flesh from their bones,
3   Who eat the flesh of my people,
     Strip off their skin from them,
     Smash their bones,
     And chop them up as for the pot,
     And as meat in a cauldron!”
4   Then they will cry out to the Lord,
     But He will not answer them.
     Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time 
     Because they have practiced evil deeds.

5   This is what the Lord says concerning the prophets who lead my people astray:

     When they have something to bite with their teeth,
     They cry out, “Peace!”
     But against him who puts nothing in their mouths 
     They declare holy war.
6   Therefore it will be night for you—without vision,
     And darkness for you—without divination.
     The sun will go down on the prophets,
     And the day will become dark over them.
7   The seers will be put to shame,
     And the diviners will be ashamed.
     Indeed, they will all cover their lips 
     Because there is no answer from God.
8   On the other hand, I am filled with power—
     With the Spirit of the Lord—
     And with justice and courage 
     To make known to Jacob his rebellious act,
     And to Israel his sin.
9   Now hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob 
     And rulers of the house of Israel,
     Who despise justice 
     And twist everything that is straight,
10 Who build Zion with bloodshed,
     And Jerusalem with malice.
11 Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe,
     Her priests teach for pay,
     And her prophets divine for money.
     Yet they lean on the Lord, saying,
     “Is the Lord not in our midst?
     Catastrophe will not come upon us.”
12 Therefore on account of you,
     Zion will be plowed like a field,
     Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins,
     And the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.


TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:
Just because someone declares something holy, like fighting "a holy war", doesn't make it so, and doesn't justify the actions.  And just because one asks God for help or peace doesn't mean He'll listen.  How does it make sense that while a person is working against the Lord and His will, that He would help in any way?  Basically, that person is asking God to work against Himself and His plans.
God is in omnipresent and omnipotent;  He is also omniscient!  Which means, He knows what is in our hearts.  When He sees us sincerely seeking Him for His help and peace, He will answer.  And it begins with us humbly realizing and admitting that we are sinners in need of forgiveness.  We are all in need of a Savior and His help, and only He is able.  Sin impedes our prayers, but God will "hear" and answer when we are reconciled with Him and make requests that are in His will.

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