Micah 4:1-2

January 22, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:1-2).

Once again, God provides a word of hope in the midst of rebuking the wicked. Today, there remains the hope of righteousness for Israel. I believe they have been brought back to their promised land, and I am praying daily for the spiritual renewal component of God’s promise. 

Going up to the house of the Lord is a fairly common theme in the Psalms, but also in the prophets. 

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!'” (Psalm‬ ‭122‬:‭1‬)

“And many peoples shall come, and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬).

“The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of hosts; I myself am going’” (Zechariah‬ ‭8‬:‭21‬).

All of these references are before the destruction of the temple. But fervor for the house of the Lord is still there upon their return from captivity in Babylon. 

Father, please bring about the spiritual restoration of Israel. Please give strength, courage, and clarity of message to the believers in Israel today. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Isaiah, Jerusalem, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy, Psalms, Temple Mount, Zechariah

Micah 3:5-6

January 21, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry ‘Peace’ when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths. Therefore, it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them” (Micah 3:5-6).

In this chapter, the Lord rebukes the political and religious leaders. Beginning in verse 5, the focus moves to the religious leaders, the prophets. Notice that the prophets lead the people astray. When the people feed them, they are peaceful. But they declare war on whoever does not give them food. 

This suggests these prophets are about the profits, not about the Lord. For such prophets, the Lord promises to stop giving them visions. 

Micah separates himself from these wicked prophets, declaring, “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin” (8).

I want to be like Micah and not the wicked prophets. 

Father, please help me to keep a close watch on my motives. Please fill me with the power of your spirit. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Micah 2:1-2, 12

January 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance” (Micah 2:1-2).

“I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men.” (Micah 2:12‬)

This chapter opens with a condemnation of evil doers. This person delights in evil as they lie in bed. His mental wheels spin, devising ways to take the possessions of the weak. As daylight breaks, he acts upon his covetous plans devised in the night, seizing a man’s field, house, and inheritance. 

As is typical of the Lord, in proximity to his rebuke of evil, He offers a word of hope. This chapter is no exception. Here, he promises to gather the remnant (ie, the faithful). In promising to “set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture,” he casts Himself as the good shepherd. 

So, how can I use this today?

First, I can guard my heart to ensure that I’m not devising schemes to cheat others. Second, I’m reminded to be faithful even if it seems like I’m being cheated by others. Third, I can be encouraged because the faithful sheep will be gathered and cared for by the good shepherd. 

I needed this today! Father, please help my heart remain faithful in these days when it feels like I’m losing my business. I need clients, but the big companies are getting their claws into pastors by offering them ways to enrich themselves by fleecing their sheep. Please help me remember that you will provide for my family and me.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, hope, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Micah 1:2-4

January 19, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place” (Micah 1:2-4).

Here, we have another prophet warning Israel (a little) and Judah (a lot) before being destroyed by Assyria and Babylon, respectively.

The thing that immediately and repeatedly comes to mind is “a church on every corner.” The prophets appear to be making the same community impact that churches are making in the USA today. While the prophets declared God’s judgment to come during biblical times, churches are supposed to be doing similarly today. 

And like the majority of people in biblical times ignored the prophets, most people in the USA ignore the prophetic warnings coming from churches. Our attention, as a nation, is on other things. 

Father, forgive me for ignoring your word in favor of other interests. Forgive me for being part of the problem. Help me to be more committed and responsive to your word this year. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Micah, Old Testament, Prophecy

Jonah 4:1-2

January 18, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. And he prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster’” (Jonah 4:1-2).

Jonah wears his feelings openly. My first reaction is to criticize Jonah. In this story, He received mercy. Yet, he wants to deny such to the Assyrians. Who does he think he is?

How can I criticize him, though? Aren’t there people I prefer who would not be forgiven? I hate to admit it, but yes, there are. What about all those people whom I fail to share Christ with because I’m busy, or afraid, or I’m just not interested at the moment? I’m not actively saying, “they can go to hell.” However, my actions surely say, “I don’t care if they do.”

In the end, how am I different than Jonah? 

Father, forgive me for being so selfish. I have received so much mercy, yet I do not do much to see others have the same mercy. Please help me to grow out of this selfishness. Amen. 

Filed Under: Assyria, devotional thoughts, Evangelism, Jonah, Old Testament, Prophecy
Next Page »