October 1

READY FOR A DISTURBED SPIRIT

Read Micah 1-4.

"None shall make them afraid" (Mic. 4:4).

Micah's message was given during the time when Israel and most of Judah were destroyed.  Contemporary with Isaiah, his themes on sin, destruction and restoration are mixed in the book with abrupt changes between them.

In chapter 1-3 Micah prophesies of Israel's doom because of their persistently idolatrous and brutal lives.  For 200 years they had continued in the sins of Jeroboam not heeding God's prophets.  Therefore through Micah God tells of their destruction.  Then abruptly speaks of their restoration into a society of peaceful, prosperous and blessed people.  Micah 4:1-3 is the same as Isaiah 2:2-4 as if to reemphasize the grand promise of peace.

This universal reign of Zion's peace is none other than the peace that flows from Calvary's hill!  In John 14:27 Jesus said "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."  This peace is the fulfillment of these prophecies.  If your peace is based on the absence of conflict or on ignorance, then it can be quickly disturbed and thrown down.  The real facts of life make inner peace impossible, unless that peace is received from Jesus.  When our Lord speaks peace, He makes peace.  His words are always "spirit and life" (Jn. 6:63).  When we look into His face and see His character undisturbed, His absolute peace shining, we find His peace within manifest within us.  But when we worry through our present troubles, we obliterate Him, and deserve what we get for we have turned from the peace He gives.  Confer with Christ and hear His promise that "these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (Jn. 16:33).

Prayer: "Lord, I let not my heart be troubled because I look to You in every concern.  Amen."

Evening Reading:

  Isaiah 62:6-65:25

  Philippians 2:19-3:2

  Psalms 73:1-28

  Proverbs 24:13-14