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Micah 7:7 - Helpless Yet Invincible.

Micah 7:7 (NIV) But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

INTRODUCTION

Micah showed great faith in God both personally (7:7) and on Israel's behalf (7:8-10) as he proclaimed that (1) he would wait upon God because God hears and saves when help is needed, (2) God would bring his people through when times were tough, (3) Israel must be patient in punishment because God would bring them out of the darkness, and (4) their enemies would be punished. We, too, can have a relationship with God that can allow us to have confidence like Micah's. It doesn't take unusual talent; it simply takes faith in God and a willingness to act on that faith. [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Helpless Yet Invincible. Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on the merits of the Saviour. By prayer, by the study of His word, by faith in His abiding presence, the weakest of human beings may live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold them by a hand that will never let go. These precious words every soul that abides in Christ may make his own. MH182 [Remnant SB]

COMMENTARY

   One can only hope. I read this line of dialogue in a novel recently, and it made me think about that expression. Our culture typically uses hope to mean that we wish for something to happen, but it often conveys an element of doubt.
   What a far cry from the Hebrew and Greek words translated as hope in the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) includes hope in a succinct definition of faith:" ... the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Even devoted Christ followers can have bouts of doubt, but deep down we know what we hope for is a sure thing.
   When the object of my hope is Jesus, it's more than a feeling; it's a reality - one that affects my past, present, and future. When I cringe at something shameful from my past, I don't have to hope it's been forgiven. I have the promise that when I confess, He forgives (1 John 1:9). When worries about my present circumstances invade my thoughts, there's no need to simply hope things will get better. I can rest in the assurance that God will work everything out for my good (Romans 8:28). Any anxiety about the unknown future can be soothed by remembering that Jesus is preparing an eternal home for me (Revelation 21). In light of all these promises, a better expression would be: one can only believe. Dianne Neal Matthews
   Faith Step: What situation in your life makes you feel hopeless? Read Micah 7:7 as a prayer to Jesus. Ask Him to make this promise the foundation of your life. [Mornings With Jesus 2024 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

   All four gospels record the presence of the women who stood watch during Jesus's crucifixion. These devoted followers had traveled with Him and ministered to His needs. Now they stood helpless to intervene, their hearts breaking from sorrow. A couple of women stayed on after almost everyone else had left the scene. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James and Joseph, watched Jesus's body being taken down from the cross and wrapped in linen. They followed to the tomb where He was buried and saw the stone rolled across the opening.
   Sometimes faith means watching and waiting. Even after all hope has been lost. Even when it seems as though our world has crumbled and there's nothing to wait for. A frightening medical diagnosis, a broken relationship, sudden loss of a loved one, or financial ruin. During these times, we show our trust in Him by quietly waiting and watching to see what He will do.
   The women's loyalty to Jesus brought great rewards on Sunday morning when they went to the tomb to anoint His body. They were the first to hear the news of the resurrection and to see the risen Savior. I wonder if I would have persevered in their situation. I admire their stubborn faith that would not let go. After all, that's the only appropriate response to a love that won't let me go. Dianne Neal Matthews [Mornings With Jesus 2023 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan]

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

Lamentations 3:21-26 - Hope in Waiting for God and His Mercy.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/1998/19981119-1546.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/