Micah: Justice + MercyParaugs

His Heart

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Shepherd Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage, who dwell solitarily in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel; let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in days of old.” Micah 7:14 (NKJV)

If you’re following the flow as we continue to work our way through the Book of Micah, you know we have just been given a grand vision into “the day” when Abraham’s descendants, Israel and Judah, will enter into the fullness of God’s promises to them. If you haven’t been following the flow, now you know! 

This day is often referred to as the Millennial Kingdom or Millennial Reign, as it features Jesus, Himself, ruling in authority from Jerusalem for a thousand years over all the earth. This is the ultimate vision and expression of justice, as the perfectly sinless Son of God is in absolute authority over every worldly issue.

Think about it, there won’t be a criminal act, backroom bribe, miscarriage of justice, or any headline that makes us instinctively cringe during this time! What is right is what is . . . period! 

Now, as amazing as that sounds, imagine how these words must have landed on their original audience who were about to be overtaken by enemy nations. The rod of correction was coming, but God wanted them to remember this rod is in the hand of a Shepherd who will ultimately preserve and deliver His flock. He goes on to give them the details of His deliverance: “’As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them wonders.’ The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall put their hand over their mouth; their ears shall be deaf. They shall lick the dust like a serpent; they shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the Lord our God, and shall fear because of You” (Micah 7:15–17 NKJV).

In other words, God will show up strong and mighty for His people! They need only to remember the way He delivered them out of Egypt to see just how powerful and faithful He is when the day comes to fulfill all His promises towards them. Their fiercest foes will slither on their stomachs like snakes, unable to stand or fight, all because their God is who He is!

At heart, their God, and our God, is a Shepherd—a Good Shepherd! Whether it’s fulfilling the millennial-long prophecy that Abraham’s heirs will prevail in an unconquerable kingdom or guiding you in your next decision, God’s shepherding heart beats strong and eternal. We who are in Christ are entitled to His shepherding watch over our lives. If we’re totally honest, there’s no better watch to be under!

Receive this reality today. Understand the Lord is your Shepherd and He desires to care for and lead you in the path of the fullest life you can ever know. 

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”—John 10:10 (NLT)

Pause: How is God described here and why is it significant?

Practice: Write down what you are entitled to as a follower of Jesus and how are you appropriating it and pray in thanksgiving to the Lord about it!

Pray: Good Shepherd, I confess my great need for Your love and guidance over my life. Please sensitize me to Your loving lead and continue to draw me closer to You. Amen.