‏ Micah 7

* The general prevalence of wickedness. (1-7) Reliance on God,

and triumph over enemies. (8-13) Promises and encouragements for

Israel. (14-20)

1-7 The prophet bemoans himself that he lived among a people

ripening apace for ruin, in which many good persons would

suffer. Men had no comfort, no satisfaction in their own

families or in their nearest relations. Contempt and violation

of domestic duties are a sad symptom of universal corruption.

Those are never likely to come to good who are undutiful to

their parents. The prophet saw no safety or comfort but in

looking to the Lord, and waiting on God his salvation. When

under trials, we should look continually to our Divine Redeemer,

that we may have strength and grace to trust in him, and to be

examples to those around us. 8-13 Those truly penitent for sin, will see great reason to be

patient under affliction. When we complain to the Lord of the

badness of the times, we ought to complain against ourselves for

the badness of our hearts. We must depend upon God to work

deliverance for us in due time. We must not only look to him,

but look for him. In our greatest distresses, we shall see no

reason to despair of salvation, if by faith we look to the Lord

as the God of our salvation. Though enemies triumph and insult,

they shall be silenced and put to shame. Though Zion's walls may

long be in ruins, there will come a day when they shall be

repaired. Israel shall come from all the remote parts, not

turning back for discouragements. Though our enemies may seem to

prevail against us, and to rejoice over us, we should not

despond. Though cast down, we are not destroyed; we may join

hope in God's mercy, with submission to his correction. No

hinderances can prevent the favours the Lord intends for his

church. 14-20 When God is about to deliver his people, he stirs up

their friends to pray for them. Apply spiritually the prophet's

prayer to Christ, to take care of his church, as the great

Shepherd of the sheep, and to go before them, while they are

here in this world as in a wood, in this world but not of it.

God promises in answer to this prayer, he will do that for them

which shall be repeating the miracles of former ages. As their

sin brought them into bondage, so God's pardoning their sin

brought them out. All who find pardoning mercy, cannot but

wonder at that mercy; we have reason to stand amazed, if we know

what it is. When the Lord takes away the guilt of sin, that it

may not condemn us, he will break the power of sin, that it may

not have dominion over us. If left to ourselves, our sins will

be too hard for us; but God's grace shall be sufficient to

subdue them, so that they shall not rule us, and then they shall

not ruin us. When God forgives sin, he takes care that it never

shall be remembered any more against the sinner. He casts their

sins into the sea; not near the shore-side, where they may

appear again, but into the depth of the sea, never to rise

again. All their sins shall be cast there, for when God forgives

sin, he forgives all. He will perfect that which concerns us,

and with this good work will do all for us which our case

requires, and which he has promised. These engagements relate to

Christ, and the success of the gospel to the end of time, the

future restoration of Israel, and the final prevailing of true

religion in all lands. The Lord will perform his truth and

mercy, not one jot or tittle of it shall fall to the ground:

faithful is He that has promised, who also will do it. Let us

remember that the Lord has given the security of his covenant,

for strong consolation to all who flee for refuge to lay hold on

the hope set before them in Christ Jesus.