MPC LENTEN DEVOTIONS

Earlier in this chapter, God had unleashed his wrath upon the Israelites. They were hemmed in on all sides with evil happening all around them. Because they were disobedient, they were left in the midst of chaos (“The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets.” Micah 7:2). Micah realized that although chaos was all around, he remained hopeful. Hopeful that God will hear him. Hope that God will deliver him and make a way. No matter how long it took, he was willing to wait, because he knew that God would answer.

In our world where we experience war and opposition, racism, sexism, sickness, and the senseless killings of unarmed men and women, we also can experience feelings of despair. But even when God feels like he is not there, He is! We know that God can do anything EXCEPT fail. As God’s flawed people, we have a tendency of losing focus on Him during our waiting period. Even in situations where we may bring on our own drama, through unforgiveness, hardening our heart, or disobedience, we become flustered when God’s answer to us, seems delayed or absent. This scripture from the book of Micah reminds us that in the midst of calamity, be hopeful. Calamity and betrayal seemed to surround Jesus in His journey to the cross. And even in Jesus’s perfection, He had a moment where it got tough. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” — Luke 22:41-42

Nevertheless, the hope that Jesus had in his Heavenly Father and His faith in God’s perfect will, allowed Jesus to persist.

As we reflect during Lent, think about our models of BOLD hope, through Micah and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the type of hope that allows us to persevere through anything that may come our way.