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The Scriptorium

Remember God's Grace

Neglecting it is too costly. Micah 6.3-5

The Case against God’s People: Micah 6 (2)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 105.1-5
Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth…

Sing Psalm 105.1-5
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Give thanks unto the Lord Most High; call on His Name, before Him cry!
Make known His deeds in every land; sing praise for all the works of His hand.

Glory in God, rejoice in heart, all you who seek His holy part.
Him and His strength and Presence seek; His works proclaim, His judgments speak.

Read Micah 6.3-5

Preparation
1. What will happen from Bethlehem of Judah in the last days?

2. When was this One appointed for His rule?

Meditation
The court is convened, and it’s time for opening arguments. God sets before His people and all creation the undeniable greatness of His grace. He redeemed them from Egypt, gave them able and faithful leaders, brought through the desert and the machinations of hostile kings, and settled them in the land. And why? That they might know – understand and experience – the righteousness of the Lord.

Did Israel find this graciousness wearisome (v. 3)? Had they forgotten their history in the faithfulness and provision of the Lord (v. 5)?

There could be no denying all the ways God had showed Himself gracious and faithful to Israel. What excuse would they proffer in defense of their rebellion against Him?

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Is it possible that we can hear ourselves saying some of these same words to our own beloved children? We observe them going away from the Lord and His promises; and from us as well. We are grieved and concerned and we pour out our hearts before them:  O my children, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Please tell me. I have loved you and cared for you and taught you God’s ways, “that you may know the righteousness of the LORD” (Mic. 6.3-5).

Can we also hear God saying these words to us?
Do we forget about God’s grace toward us?
Could it be that we act as if God has wearied us by demanding that we obey His commands?
He has brought us out of sin and redeemed us from the bondage we had to it.
We dare not testify against Him. As God said to Job, “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it” (Job 40.2). No thanks.

We need to say to the LORD the same words Job spoke: “I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42.2, 5, 6).

Then we remember God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin!  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us…” (Eph. 1. 7, 8). “For by grace you have been saved…” (Eph. 2.8).

That we may know the righteousness of the LORD!

Reflection
1. Why is it a good idea to remind ourselves of the grace and faithfulness of God?

2. How can believers encourage one another to keep focused on the grace of God?

3. What can happen when we lose sight of God’s grace, or fail to acknowledge His faithfulness?

Sin causes the controversy between God and man. God reasons with us, to teach us to reason with ourselves. Let them remember God’s many favors to them and their fathers, and compare with them their unworthy, ungrateful conduct toward him. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Micah 6.3-5

Closing Prayer: Psalm 105.6-11, 44, 45
Thank God for His great faithfulness, both to Israel of old and to us His people today.

Sing Psalm 105.6-11, 44, 45
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
You holy children of Abraham, you chosen ones of Jacob, stand!
He is our Lord, of wondrous worth; His judgments are in all the earth.

He will His covenant faithfully guard – His oath, the promise of His Word.
That which He to our fathers swore, He will perform forevermore!

To them He granted the promised land, the portion of His gracious hand.
Though they were few, and wandered far, He kept them close within His heart.

So let us all in our Savior confide, and in His holy Law abide.
Let us observe His glorious Word, and praise our sovereign, faithful Lord!

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.

Don’t forget to listen to this month’s Personal Mission Field Workshop. It’ll make you a little spongier (click here).

If you find Scriptorium helpful in your walk with the Lord, please seek the Lord, asking Him whether you should contribute to the support of this daily ministry with your financial gifts. As the Lord leads, you can use the Contribute button at the website to give with a credit card or through PayPal, or you can send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 360 Zephyr Road, Williston, VT 05495.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures 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.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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