Friday, December 19, 2014

MICAH 1-3:

Micah prophesied in Judah in the years 737-696 B.C. He was from a rural area and a lot the book is spent on rebuking corruption of city life in Judah and Israel.  The first 3 chapters address future suffering, the futility of Man's plans, false prophets and a rebuking of all leaders and prophets who devise evil.

Her leaders judge of a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they lean upon the Lord and say, "Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us." Therefore because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound overgrown with thickets.

REVELATION 10:

Chapter 10 covers the 7th Angel and his revealing the mystery of God. The angel comes down and stands part on the earth and part on the sea. John is commanded in his vision to ask him for the scroll that is in his hand.

So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll.  He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey."...It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."

JOURNAL:

Here from Micah is a warning that to me, seems against those that have found profit and comfort in their current position.  Of course since he is from a rural area he is a bit of an outsider and would naturally rebuke those in the city.  It also is a reminder of the dangers and the subtlety of comfort. Yet that is what I seem to long for...is that not the lure of retirement and vacation.  I can't help but wonder if that is not a well played lie to keep us out of the battle.  The more I can be compromised, the more comfortable I am, the harder it will be to break out of that into whatever God calls me to do.

What is tough about this is...vacation, retirement are all wonderful things.  They are definitely gifts that are good.  Just as the Kingdom of Israel, Solomon's wealth were all blessings. But I think the danger is when they become the end and goal rather than a blessing from God.  One of the things that used to bother me as a financial advisor was always focusing on planning for the day that people will do nothing.  The more I think about it...it almost feels like a way to take people out of the game and render them ineffective.

It also is a reminder for the need to get out of our comfort zone, get into the country, slow down and hear from God.  A great quote from John Wooden puts things into proper perspective...

Be true to yourself. Make each day your masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.