August 20, Reading 2 – Micah 3:1-4:8

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Leadership in the Church is a fearful thing. We often grasp it and desire it. God holds leaders very responsible. Pray for elders and ministers, and executive officers in church organizations.

SJA Notes

* God Above, please bind our hearts to You today as we dwell on Your word.

“Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray,”

We read here another example of just how seriously God takes leading His people.

When our church leaders go astray and lead God’s people down the broad road, it is because they have decided to walk _away_ from the Lord.

“… You who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh from off their bones, …”

This is serious stuff!

God’s judgement is clear on false prophets and leaders of God’s people.

“Then they will cry to the LORD, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil.”

Instead of the leadership being in communion with the Lord, living in His word, there is nothing.

Instead of being in the light, as He is in the light, they are in darkness, in the night.

Instead of having their eyes opened by God’s truth, they are blind.

What is the answer then? What is the antidote?

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”

Never stop being taught by our God! Never walk in any path but His! This is the fix for all God’s people, because we are all sheep of the Good Shepherd.

* Father God,

Please teach us Your truth today. Put within us Your Spirit. Please write within us, on our hearts, Your word.

So that we might walk in Your paths.

Amen.

August 19, Reading 2 – Micah 1, 2

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This vision is for all nations! God is the LORD of all nations! However, judgment starts with the House of God, with Israel and Judah. God, through Micah speaks to both nations bluntly. Their only hope would be found in God’s decision to act – 2:12,13 – by sending One who would break open the way!

SJA Notes

* Creator God, please help us understand Your word today.

“All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste, …”

Our God is God of all the earth, regardless of whether the peoples worship Him or not.

His word has value for all the earth, for all the peoples.

“For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth.”

And this message today is that when the Lord returns He will bring justice.

We read of this return in Revelation 19,

“Then I saw an heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”

Our God is not a powerless kitten. He is the Lion of Judah.

And when He returns it will be with a sword, treading out the winepress of the fury of His wrath.

This is a hard word. Are we open to it?

* Righteous and Holy God,

Please help us grapple with Your word today.

Please help us to understand You better today.

Please grant us opportunity to tell people about You today, and may they hearken. May they see Jesus!

Amen.