The Coming of the Kingdom: Micah 4 (4)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 77.1-3
I cried out to God with my voice—
To God with my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.

Psalm 77.1-3
(Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise)
My voice to God shall rise; I seek Him on His throne.
In days and nights of trouble I seek God alone!

When I remember Him, then am I sore distressed!
My spirit faints and longs to find in Him its rest.

Read Micah 4.9, 10

Preparation
1. What were God’s people facing at the time of these verses?

2. What would God do after that?

Meditation
The glorious vision of verses 1-8 is for the “last days.” For the time being, the people of God must bear the burden of their sins in captivity. There was no use crying for deliverance in Micah’s day (v. 9). That opportunity had passed. Their kings and counselors had failed them, and the nation was experiencing the pain, destitution, and fear of a new world that was about to be birthed upon them – exile and captivity (v. 10).

But this was only a temporary season of discipline. God’s Word would not fail. He would deliver them from their captivity in Babylon once their time of punishment was up. And He promised again to redeem them from all their enemies, that they might be free in their coming King to fulfill the vision of verses 1-8.

The promises of God are sometimes postponed until the people of God are ready to receive them. Whatever stands between us and the promises of God is neither in God nor in the world, but in our unbelieving soul.

Nothing a little discipline and repentance can’t set right.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“…to you it shall come…the kingdom…” (Mic. 4.8)

“Whatever stands between us and the promises of God is neither in God nor in the world, but in our unbelieving soul.”

The Kingdom has come to us in Jesus. His arrival on earth, His death and resurrection, His ascension to heaven—all these have ushered in this last-days Kingdom. This is where we are to live, with Jesus as our King and the Word as our guide. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6.10).

As citizens of this Kingdom our allegiance is to God and His Law. Our job is to love Him and love others

Jesus tells us that He will one day say to us, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me” (Matt. 25.34-36).”

For now, with a little discipline and repentance we can set this right, and live in this Kingdom prepared for us.

Reflection
1. Why is repentance from sin so necessary for life in the Kingdom of God?

2. Why does God discipline His people? What should we do if we suspect we have come under the discipline of the Lord?

3. How can believers encourage one another to live in and toward the promises of God?

The meaning is that you will go into captivity, people of Zion, to be deported to Babylon, but after years you will come back from there, not with the soldier hastening after you, but with that leader who by ascending into heaven made captivity his own prisoner. You will follow him together with Paul’s brothers-in-arms and the princes of our army, who captivate all minds to the respect of Christ. Ephrem the Syrian (306-373), Commentary on Micah

Closing Prayer: Psalm 77.11-20
Review the promises of God that are precious to you. Thank Him for them. Seek strength from the Lord to live within and toward those promises today. Pray for revival, renewal, and a great awakening to faith worldwide.

Psalm 77.11-20
(Leoni: The God of Abraham Praise)
Now let us call to mind Your deeds and wonders, Lord,
and meditate on all Your works and praise Your Word.
Full holy is Your way, great God of earth and heav’n.
To You, O God of strength and pow’r all praise be giv’n!

The waters and the deeps all tremble ‘neath Your hand.
The clouds give forth, the sky resounds across the land.
Your lightning flashes forth and lights the earth around;
we feel beneath our feet the trembling of the ground.

Your way leads through the sea; Your path the water parts.
Your footprints are to us deep mysteries in our hearts.
As then by Moses’ hand and Aaron’s law-filled voice,
You led Your sheep, lead us that we may all rejoice!

T. M. and Susie Moore

You can listen to our summary of last week’s study by clicking here.

Micah in God’s Covenant
Where does the book of Micah fit in God’s covenant with His people? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you to answer that question and to gain a better understanding of how the grace of God reaches and transforms us in Jesus Christ. Order your free copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scripture are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.