Israel's Resistance

Micah 6:2 - Hear, O mountains, the LORD's complaint, and you strong foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a complaint against His people, and He will contend with Israel.

Jesus has done a great thing for us. He has died for our sins to restore our relationship with the Father. We are counted as His people if we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, if we have decided to be content in Him, follow Him and His commands, trust in Him and remain in Him.

The Old Testament talks all about Israel, the LORD and His people. If we are in Christ we understand that anywhere these words are written they are words for us also. Israel is a nation, a people. They are the LORD's chosen people. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (Exodus 19:5). In the New Testament that relates to anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. We have become part of His chosen people. The entire Bible is intertwined. 

So this complaint in Micah...is a complaint even today, for the nation of Israel and for all His people. God is not done with Israel. There will still be a struggle ahead for this nation and these people. When things look like the very end of this nation, which seems to have been in the crosshairs of many enemies over the years, God will intervene. The Bible tells us there will be a time when even the Jews will look and see and realize that Jesus IS and was the Christ they rejected so many years ago.

Here the LORD continues to speak through the prophet Micah. God asks what has He done to us (that we should reject Him). I ask, what has He done for us? In Micah the answers are He has delivered them out of Egypt, captivity. In the New Testament He delivers us out of the sin of this world, those sins we are trapped within until we receive Christ. In both cases He has allowed us to know His righteousness in our lives. (Micah 6:5)

The other day I mentioned that so often people want to prove in and of themselves that they are good before God. But God does not recognize that. What He wants more than anything else is our humble devotion to Him. (Micah 6:6-8)

  

One can't know God without spending time with Him in prayer and in the Word. That's how He communicates to us. It's how we know what our future holds. We learn from the past. Further in Micah 6 the LORD has the prophet suggest that without the righteousness that comes from Him He cannot stand with them. He does not recognize the things of the world which is filled with wickedness, deceit, lies and abominations. It's not about flesh and blood but those spiritual things unseen in the heavenlies. Only through Him will all things be good and secure.

We learn from the Old Testament. Things are no different today than back then. There are followers and non-followers, His people or the world's people. There is life or death. There is humble submission or proud/rebellious resistance. God loves us all but He has His standards. They are all set forth in His Word. Do you know them? Do you know His desires for you? There is only good for you when you do. You too can be part of His chosen people. To be set apart by God is a privilege. 

There will be a remnant in the last days, those who have stood by God and refused to be swayed by the world views, which are becoming greater each day. You can be part of that remnant. He will watch over you. The rewards are great, the promises sure. You know the phrase that's so popular these days, life is good. In Christ it is better than good. Can you say you are part of His people? Remember, Israel = all His followers.

Isaiah 43:1-3 - But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...