The story of the nation of Israel in Scripture can be summarized as follows:

God sovereignly chooses a people to call His own.
He covenants with them, promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to His commands.
The people obey for a while, then choose to rebel.
God brings discipline through hardships, usually bondage imposed by outside nations.
The people repent and God rescues them.
The people revert to Step 3 and start the process all over again!!!

The story is similar for followers of Jesus. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior will continue as long we inhabit the earth, slaves to our sinful nature inherited from our biological parents Adam and Eve. However, a day is coming when we will be rescued from this IN FULL!!! Let this greatly encouraging prophecy from Micah wash over you today!!!

[Micah 4.6-7]

6 In that day, declares the Lord,
I will assemble the lame
and gather those who have been driven away
and those whom I have afflicted;
7 and the lame I will make the remnant,
and those who were cast off, a strong nation;
and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion
from this time forth and forevermore.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does “in that day” mean? See Micah 4.1. Do vv. 6-7 then tell of a time when Israel returns from their second exile which Micah is prophesying or something that is yet to come or both?

+ Why do you think the terms, “lame, outcast and afflicted” are used to describe the people the Lord will assemble “in that day”? How do you feel about the phrase “those whom I have afflicted” as a declaration from the Lord?

+ Define the word “remnant”. What are some good and not so good connotations of this word when describing followers of God?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Lord, forgive us for our rebellious ways. We NEVER keep our promises to You but You are ALWAYS faithful to forgive and bestow mercy on us anyway. Thank You for Your redeeming love. Amen

Jerusalem is sometimes known as the city of Peace and yet “throughout its long history, it has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times”. But the Bible is clear, better times are coming for the New Jerusalem; MUCH better times!!!

[Revelation 21.2-4]

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?