Micah 4:6-8

I ask myself questions. I do not always ask them aloud, but internally I use questions to seek understanding. When I hear something that might be important, I analyze what I have heard. I start with a basic question, “Why should this matter?” If what I heard does not matter or does not make a difference, then I spend little time thinking about it.

Imagine that we are hearing Micah preach. He has told us that our nation’s political and religious leaders are corrupt. He has also told us that because of corruption, our nation is going to be defeated militarily, and many of us are going to be taken into captivity. Losing our homes and being made captives matters. However, we are helpless, and we cannot stop what is going to happen. We are not political or religious leaders, and we do not have any influence over the direction our nation takes.

After telling us our future is hopeless, Micah tells us that someday God will create a remnant out of the exiles of our nation. He describes the exiles as being lame; they are the walking wounded. In their own strength, they are helpless and have no hope of ever returning to Israel. Yet, not all is hopeless, because God is going to do a mighty work and he is going to bring them out of exile and return them like a shepherd leading his flock. He will restore the kingdom to its former glory, and Jerusalem will once again be the seat of authority for God’s people.

How does it matter? The Israel we know will no longer exist and we will be dead. Why should we care about what God is going to do someday? It matters because, what God can do for a nation, He can do for us as individuals. When we are weak, lame and enslaved, God can lift us up, heal us and set us free. God is ready to do it when we are ready to believe it.