Micah 7:1, “Woe is me!” – it sounds like our friend Job.
Micah was in a mess not of his making, but never-the-less, in a large mess! God was drawing the Assyrians down to destroy the northern kingdom of Israel in a few short years and Micah was screaming at the top of his lungs to the southern kingdom, Judah, to wake up or suffer the same.
God was over the line with their pseudo worship (a form of godliness but denying the power – chp 1), their money grabbing (gambling, selfish spending, not serving the poor, and using the ballot box to vote themselves favors – chp 2) and their dirty politics (chp 3). Whoa! Sounds like another nation I know!
Then God told of future glory days for Jerusalem and the Jews in chapters 4 and 5. In chapter 6 God called His people to appear in court and leveled a charge against them which they refuted by claiming God was too difficult, which was followed by God’s response in the famous 6:8 verse – “He has shown you, O man, and what does the Lord require…?” God then reiterated His judgments upon them for following the ways of the world (6:16). Micah was distressed over it all!
Micah talked about all the societal systems collapsing around him and only finding help in His God (7:7). In 7:8, Micah addressed his detractors and enemies who said “Jerusalem won’t die,” (Satan once said, “You won’t die.”) by noting that even he would fall and die. So too, Jerusalem would surely fall and the Jews be scattered.
Micah declared his faith in His God that after falling he would rise (as Jesus rose from the dead to glorious life – so will His followers). God’s people do fall and they do rise – Hallelujah! Likewise, Jerusalem and the Jews – they will be raised, restored (chps 4-5).
Also (7:8), when conquered, broken or down, God does not abandon. Micah states that even in darkness, God’s presence is there. For God’s people, there is never a time when God is far or distracted. God allows His people to fall knowing that in those times there is growth, purging, and development and He is there limiting (I Cor. 10:13), encouraging, and working.
Micah 7:9 gives us some truths that mark those who are really God’s people. In 7:7 Micah declared God as “my Savior”. Really? Based on what? 7:9! In 7:8 Micah boldly declared that God was his light in the dark and his rescue from the fall. How could Micah be sure God was personally his? verse 7:9!
I will bear the indignation of the LORD,
Because I have sinned against Him,
Until He pleads my case
And executes justice for me.
He will bring me forth to the light;
I will see His righteousness.
So what are marks of a true Christian? 7:9 unpacked:
1. I am a sinner – in general and specifically.
2. God is just in punishing me.
3. God is my rescue – my salvation.
4. I cry out to Jesus to save me.
5. Jesus alone can forgive and restore.
6. I will see Him – I am restored!
7. God is righteous – Glorious! Right!
Are you saved? Truly?
a PK Musing 
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