December 16

Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

Today's reading is shot through with a single theme, and I'm in awe once again at the consistency and beauty of Scripture.  (Esther mentioned this characteristic yesterday, too.) I'm grateful for the consistency because it allows me to rest in the unity of God's Word - it pretty much says the same things over and over and over, particularly about the character of God.  I can trust what it says, who it says God is.  This breeds confidence and security.  I'm grateful for the beauty because it answers a deep longing in our hearts for things to be "right," to be different from the brokenness confronting us every day.  I can hope for restoration and redemption, and I can rejoice in the life of God already at work in the world: sunsets, velvet, rainstorms, caramel, laughter.  God is good!

Which is part of the repetition running through our reading today.  God is good and great, bringing healing and wholeness, and deserving of praise.  Look at all the places we see this truth today:

- I'm sure Micah 5:2 was familiar (especially as we're only a week from Christmas), but look at the blessing this "ruler" will bring Israel: "He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  And they will live in security, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.  And he will be their peace" (Mic. 5:4-5a).  Micah is prophesying images of security and strength and safety and peace, of protection and comfort, all because the entire world will know the greatness of God.

- Micah 7:18-20: God forgives.  God relents.  God is merciful.  God is compassionate.  God offers salvation.  God is faithful.  He doesn't leave us to ourselves.  He never brings judgment without offering mercy.  Micah is picking up on the character reference God gives himself in Exodus 34:6, which is mentioned time and again by other Old Testament writers.  (We saw it just recently in Jonah.) "We can know this is who God is," they all write, "because he described himself thusly and we see these qualities worked out in relationship with us."

- Revelation echoes these characterizations of God.  Until the end of time, "salvation belongs to our God" (Rev. 7:10).  He redeems.  He restores.  He rescues us from our sin and selfishness, for we are powerless to save ourselves.  He is good, revealed through his desire to save; he is great, revealed through his ability to do so.  Because of this, "praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever.  Amen!" (vs. 12).  That's a pretty comprehensive and amazing list, all due to our God.  Wow.  And look at what God offers those standing before him: provision ("spread[ing] his tent over them" and the following images of physical satiation [vs. 15-16]), access to himself ("the Lamb...will be their shepherd; he will lead them" [vs.17, emphasis mine]), and comfort ("God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" [vs. 17]).  Just amazing.

- Our psalm for today speaks to the relationship between God's goodness and our praise, too.  "Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good" (Ps. 135:3); "I know that the Lord is great" (vs. 5); "the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants" (vs. 14); "praise the Lord" (vs. 21).  The rest of the psalm is a history lesson detailing God's faithful provision for his people, bringing them out of Egypt and into the promised land.  "This is what God has done for us," the psalmist is saying.  "Praise is our response."

- Even Proverbs reinforces the idea of God as loving protector and security. "He is a shield to those who take refuge in him" (Pr. 30:5).  Safety, trustworthiness, and acceptance.

There's so much more in our reading today - the challenge of Micah 6:6-8, the warning found in Proverbs 30:6.  What richness and depth we continue to find in our reading of God's word, even with only 15 days left.

- Sarah Marsh

How did God speak to you in Scripture today? Click here to share your reflections on God's word or read past posts. We'd love to hear from you.