Day 211 - He Will Be Their Peace

Daily Reading:  Micah 5-7

And he will be their peace.

Micah 5:5

Footnote:  This chapter provides one of the clearest Old Testament prophecies of Christ's coming.  The key descriptive phrase is "and he will be their peace."  In one of Christ's final talks he said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).  Because of Christ's first coming, we have the opportunity to experience peace with God with no more fear of judgment and no more conflict and guilt.  Christ's peace gives us assurance even though wars continue.  At Christ's second coming, all wars and weapons will be destroyed (4:3-5).

And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

6:8

Footnote:  People have tried all kinds of ways to please God, but God has made his wishes clear:  he wants his people to be just, merciful, and to walk humbly with him.  In your efforts to please God, examine these areas on a regular basis.  Are you fair in your dealing with people?  Do you show mercy to those who wrong you?  Are you learning humility?

Who is a God like you,

who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.

7:18

Footnote:  God delights to show mercy!  He does not forgive grudgingly, but is glad when we repent and offers forgiveness to all who come back to him.  Today you can confess your sins and receive his loving forgiveness.  Don't be too proud to accept God's free offer.

In an age when religion was making little difference in people's lives, Micah said that God expected his people to be just, merciful, and humble.  He requires the same of Christians toay.  In a world that is unjust, we must act justly.  In a world of tough breaks, we must be merciful.  In a world of pride and self-sufficiency, we must walk humbly with God.  Only when we live according to God's way will we begin to affect our homes, our society, and our world.

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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV