“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is be ruler in Israel, […]
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.”
(Micah 5:2, 4)
Centuries later, this prophecy would be fulfilled as our Shepherd-King, Jesus, was born (Mt 2:1, 6).
Until then, what the Israelites needed to endure: the “labour pains” of captivity and being kingless (Mic 5:3), because of their sin of idolatry (Mic 1:7).
Just like how the Israelites waited for the coming of the Shepherd-King, today we believers also await the second coming of Jesus.
While waiting for His second coming, our responsibility: muster our troops (Mic 5:1). 🪖
Wait for Jesus like good faithful soldiers: patiently enduring sufferings, not entangled in worldly pursuits, but focused on pleasing the Shepherd-King who enlisted us (2 Tim 2:3-4).
As good soldiers of Christ, we shepherd the world with the sword of God’s word (Mic 5:5-6), leading them to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:4-5).
As good soldiers of Christ, we also submit to Jesus’ detoxification of our hearts, by letting the Holy Spirit remove all sin and idols from our hearts (Mic 5:12-15).
What does God promise His soldiers who faithfully wait and fight for Him?
“They shall dwell secure” in God’s land and kingdom (Mic 5:4).
“He (Jesus) shall be their peace” (v5).
God’s deliverance shall “delay not for man nor wait for the children of man” (v7).
Therefore, may we live as good faithful soldiers of Christ everyday of our lives,
So that we can eagerly look forward to the return of our Shepherd-King with this refrain:
“O the King is coming,
The King is coming!
Praise God, He’s coming for me!”
(Hymn 512, The King Is Coming)
