Though the wrath of God is great and fearsome, He comforts the penitent who takes refuge in Him.

Our most important work is to pray for the people of God.

The Bible is stained with the sins, transgressions, atrocities, weaknesses and failings of God’s chosen. God neither censors nor minces His words in communicating to His believers the swift and exacting nature of His sovereign righteousness in His timely response to wickedness. During the infancy of our faith, the understanding that the only way that leads to eternal life in Christ is narrow and therefore, hard to find and difficult to walk on, is cemented into our minds. As we grow in stature (and by God’s grace, in some wisdom and in favour with God and man), we learn the harsh reality of this truth. The world and everything it can offer presents us a broad shiny platter of options, tempts us with the illusion of choice, human rights and free will. These options are disguised as alluring, multisensory experiences, and irresistible desires that easily appeal to our pleasure, comfort, and self-gratification-seeking nature. So much so, sometimes, we unwittingly let our guard down, cave and give in, even when those decisions are in clear and direct conflict with our better discernment, with what God requires of us. When we come to our senses, perhaps nudged back to God’s truth by His Holy Spirit, our perspective of the efficacy and sincerity of God’s forgiveness of our wrongs starts off skewed, just like the Israelites, contingent upon the complexity of physical atonement. But God has never wavered in His terms and conditions; a big ask in so few words – all He requires, as strict and precise as they come, is for us to, against false gods and all other odds, wholly fear and obey Him. Nothing can come between God and His almighty judgements. Can we thus, like such, come before our LORD? May God keep our hearts and hope grounded in His everlasting way.

More than two thousand years ago, He was born on earth; Soon, He’ll be returning.

Despite the failings of God’s people as detailed in earlier chapters, Micah 4 opens with a victorious image of God as reigning over the nations. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the Lord’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Throughout the past few chapters, Judah’s human leaders, both political and spiritual, were rebuked harshly for their evil deeds. Yet in contrast, the reign of God brings about a state of peace. Rest. Protection. We see the imagery of this peace through the instruments of war changing into instruments of agriculture, and a quiet rest under the fruits of one’s labour. Even the ‘little ones’ in the nation will be cared for under God’s reign. Those whom the human rulers have abandoned, abused and taken advantage of, God will take them in and make them a strong nation. But this victorious era has yet to come for the people of Judah. Instead, they were facing a devastating tomorrow. One where the threat of the Babylonian exile lies on the horizon. However, God remains merciful and once again comforts His people that this is all part of His plan. That their true King has not abandoned them (Micah 4:9). Today, we may find ourselves growing weary, as we face the evil around us. Whether it be hatred, backbiting, idolatry, lewdness, drunkenness, etc. (Gal 5:19-21). With such growing evil, the future may seem likewise bleak. But if we let God reign in our life, we can be blessed! For example, the long draining work hours at the office doing repetitive tasks all for the hope of a promotion can become a meaningful mission to preach the gospel and shine as God’s light. Even suffering under a mean boss can become much less dreadful as we hold onto the hope that our King loves and will avenge the ‘little ones’ in His nation. Only, the question lies in whether we have let God reign in our lives.

Wicked rulers bring suffering and injustice

Are our eyes inclined towards the word of God? Or itching to satisfy our desires?

The Lord is your witness.