But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Micah 7:7-9
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
Because I have sinned against him,
I will bear the Lord’s wrath,
until he pleads my case
and upholds my cause.
He will bring me out into the light;
I will see his righteousness.
Scripture Notes
There can sometimes be a presumption that the cries written by the major and minor prophets are always of lament, dismay, and hopelessness. However, Micah is clearly crying out in wonder and joy at the Lord’s provision, mercy, and devotion. It is human nature that compels us to look at man-made systems, structures, relationships, or even ourselves first, but we are reminded that in everything we should have hope in the Lord and wait on him because we know he hears our voices.
We all have sinned and fallen short of the expectation of being heirs to the kingdom of God. However, despite our failings, when we look to and trust in the Lord, we believe that, despite being brought low, we will rise again. Not quickly, nor even within our time on this earth, can we trust in our deliverance. We are playing the long game, living in faith, not because we know for sure what eternity holds, but because we trust in Christ Jesus. Our enemies, naysayers, and critics should be warned that they may win temporary victories, but victory in the Lord is ultimate and eternal.
Although Micah speaks in the first person form, he speaks on behalf of Israel, his people, and his community. He speaks of his (their) sin agains the Lord and prepares to bear the wrath he (they) deserve. This is a reminder to us that salvation is not limited to ourselves individually, but is also communal. How can the church in this country speak to salvation when they themselves are divided? We cannot be satisfied with our own salvation, but must recognize our part of the community, how we treat one another, and how we can repair what has been broken.
As believers, we recognize that we have sinned and that we absolutely deserve punishment. We should endure it, bear it as best we can, until the justice of the Lord intercedes and pleads for us to be redeemed. We should not be looking for loopholes, easy paths, or the road of least resistance. We should endure what wrath we deserve, and yet, we should do so full of hope that God will have mercy on us, just as he has promised. God’s redemption and offer of forgiveness are far greater than any power, wealth, influence, or indulgence that we could contrive. It is through the Lord we yearn for, drawn to the light, desirous to escape the perils of darkness.
MEMORY VERse
J. H. Field. Untitled [thin branches over hazy sun], c. 1869–1936. The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Related Verses
More verses about God’s strength and light:
Prayer Invitation
Application Questions
- In what ways do you recognize that God’s discipline is to prevent condemnation rather than punishment itself? If you had not made that distinction before, how can you change your attitude to reflect your new understanding of God’s grace?
- When you are taunted or harassed, how can you find the courage to rise after a fall and trust the Lord to plead for you?
- How can you better rely on God’s promises and find hope during struggles and hardships?
MANÁ 
Leave a comment