Hope: A Path to Fulfillment - Micah 4:1 - 6:16

The relevancy of God’s word to the present day and time in which we live is one of the elements that strengthens my faith, and increases my assurance that God was, is and will ever be in control of this old world. Last Sunday’s lesson reminding us that CORRUPTION IS A PATH TO NOWHERE is an excellent example. This truth has been reaffirmed over and over down through the ages, and should be obvious to all by now. However, I know of no other civilization as well blessed as America, which has openly come out through all Medias of communication rejecting God. And I am hearing of more CORRUPTION in high places than ever before in our history. My heart is so broken that maybe it was God’s will that I not teach last Sunday.
The first bit of information today reaffirms my great HOPE. Juanita [wife] was unconscious when she fell, May 3. On May 4, three metal plates and many stitches were required in the operation on her face, and she remained in intensive care for three days. A pacemaker was installed on May 7. She was transferred to rehabilitation on the 12th. As of the afternoon of the 16th, as I write, she is able to walk from bed to bath on her own, and is eating satisfactorily {All food is blended}.
During these trying days, the hope that I have; my utter dependence on God and his response is no less than my path-way to peace, joy, thanksgiving, and surely fulfillment. We thank all who have prayed for her recovery.
If you have no hope in God, the Bible says that you are of all men most miserable. I speak to you who have hope and ask—what would you do without hope. Would life really be worth living? Think seriously about this matter. Hope in Jesus Christ sustains us. It holds us up, keeps us going, supports us, proves and approves us and above all provides us with the spiritual nourishment we need.
We know that God has a purpose and a plan of action for each individual. Some of us may falter along the way but we can know with absolute assurance that if we are still here as Christians our purpose is not yet accomplished. And if you are a sinner and still here it is to give you more time and opportunities to accept Jesus as your personal Savior; but know assuredly that he will not forever strive for your acceptance. Time is of essence.
Faith and hope have definitions that are similar and are not only based on the Lord but they are given to us by him. They are indestructible; and no one can take them from you; so the only way to loose them is to refuse to believe and use them. Think on this and reflect on the Lord’s words of hope revealed to Micah and how His words provide you with strength as you face difficult situations.
Micah was a contemporary of Hosea of the northern Kingdom and also one of the greatest of all prophets, Isaiah, from the Southern Kingdom. They all prophesied during the last half of the eighth century BC. Their messages were similar even though they may have had different backgrounds. It is felt by many that Isaiah belonged to the royal family or at least the princely families of Jerusalem—and that Micah may have belonged to the poorer classes living in the country. We know that Isaiah belonged to some of the noblest of families; there is no biblical account regarding the family of Micah; not even his father’s name, which is unusual among Jews. As a city dweller, Isaiah moved among the city politicians and statesmen and was the counselor of the king. Micah moved among the poorer classes, country people, peasantry who lived in the country of Judea. He has been called the prophet of the poor.
Micah’s entire message could be summed up in one sentence. All nations that live selfish and luxurious lives, even though they offer costly sacrifices, are vampires in the sight of God, sucking the life-blood out of the poor. Through Micah, God called his people into court to hear their indictment against them. Their sins center in the capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem the capitol cities of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms. Time has not changed anything—our sins center today in the capitol city of the country, Washington DC.
The warning from this prophet was no different than the one from all the other great prophets that we have heard speak against sin and disobedience. Micah made sure that the people in rural areas got the same messages as those who lived in the cities with great control and influence.
The messaged was loud and clear that the Israelite nations were doomed and their cities and temples would fall, including Jerusalem and the temple located there. Evil nations would conquer the people and they would be exiled, made slaves, and loose all wealth and status.
Only a remnant would be saved and allowed to return. Then the prophet referred to the one that would be born as King of the Jews and they were told that their only hope was in this new king that would come to rule over them. The were warned that God does not let his people continue sinning without warning them of the consequences of their sins, giving them the opportunity to change their lifestyle and rendering punishment for sin.
God has always used individuals he calls out in important historical moments to guide his people, to call them back to him, ant to warn them of his punishment for their sin. There has never been a day in the history of the world when there were as many men of God preaching about the end of time and the coming doom as there are today. Not only are there more great preachers, but they have the radio and television to multiply their efforts to millions in one night.
I have a deep feeling of concern for people of foreign countries that have never had access to the word of God as we in America have had. However, I doubt that God’s wrath will be as heavy against them as it will be against the American disobedient public that has ever reason to know how to do right and are failing to do it. They know when they are wrong but choose to be wrong rather than right and submissive to God.
Those that have rejected God and his great Salvation have no hope past the last day of life here on earth. Those in Micah’s day had no hope without the promise of the King that was yet to come and rule over them as their Messiah. And the Christian hope today lies entirely in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the salvation these events have assured for us.

The Invitation is Inclusive - Isaiah 55-67

ISSAIAH 55: 1 TO 67, MAY 3, 2009
By: John Vandiver
During the last fifty years there has been a constant increase in the practice of pre-marital and promiscuous sex among high school and college age young men and women. You can add to this problem the increased use of drugs and alcohol and find the root cause for most marital failures in our country. A great number of the most heart breaking stories happen to students with unlimited talent and abilities.
The Bible is unlimited in the vast number of times that we are told that if we will place our faith in God, that he will make the way straight for us where we can use our own unlimited talents and abilities; however we can also know that they will be enhanced by the power and might of God. The bad mistakes that we continue to make automatically tells God that we really do not need his help; that we will be able to carve out a creditable life on our own without His help. It is so sad but usually true that things do not work out for our best when we neglect to take Jesus as our partner through life’s darkest hours.
In preparation for this lesson today, a great number of famous and some not so famous names came to my attention as examples that could be used to explain why many able people fall far short of their capabilities and our expectations. John Daly is the first that came to mind. He had the support of his family and the Russellville and Dardanelle golfing communities and played outstanding golf while attending the University. John won the hearts of the American golfing community and was noted and admired for his long drives. He was his own worst enemy and finally lost all control to the destructive power of alcohol to control his life. and even destroy. A terrible loss has resulted in the fact that John did not learn his drinking habits from Isaiah 53.
The last successful Razorback team was led by Matt Jones, a quarterback from Fort Smith that could throw the ball with great accuracy and surprised everyone with his ability to run the ball when it had to be moved forward. I may be naïve about his high school and college life, but he seemed to be honest, honorable, and dependable. Because of his height, long arms and running ability he was drafted by the pros as a wide end; and there is no doubt that his versatility would have led to great success. Just a few days ago he was on a visit back to Fayetteville when he was arrested and jailed on a drug violation. It was revealed that this was not his first offense, and it cost him his contract. When he broke his partnering contract with Jesus Christ it caused him to lose his playing contract in pro football.
I have wiled away many hours listening to Harry Carrey explain the exploits of the St. Louis Cardinals. There were dozens of super base ball players that set records that would still be holding if a group of cheating, nonprofessional un-American and non-Christian players with steroid muscle power had not exploited the profession. As a result they can not be the best that ever played because they cheated to get there—and they robbed honest top players of their position because we will never know now just how they did compare to players of the last decade.
All of the above really believed that they had found a way to make sure they had found satisfaction in this world. They made their own plans; they depended upon their own strengths and desires and they left God completely out of their overall plan for success. It is unfortunate for each one of them; but they chose the wrong road, wrong friends, and bad advice. It is sad, but they have hurt many others [family, friends, and co-players] and disappointed many of their fans.
Why will good people risk loosing all that is right and enjoyable just for the privilege of enjoying sin for a moment? It must be human nature because the problem has always existed. At the time covered by the 55th chapter of Isaiah, the Jewish people were operating under the covenant that God had made with David as King of Judah and Jerusalem. His people had violated their part in the covenant and their disobedience had led to their fall away into heathen bondage. It is now time under the covenant for them to return to their country, and rebuild. For a hundred years or more the prophets had been using the language of the lawyers and judges—courtrooms talk; and used the arguments from the temple, the priest and prophets trying to reach the people. It is actually quiet refreshing to see that Isaiah changes to the language of the salesman, and in this case all was free.
In order to serve his people that were returning, the servant God is talking as if they are hungry and thirsty but he is referring to Spiritual desires. He is telling them that spiritual food and water is free and that they only have to accept salvation as a free gift. Isaiah sounds like Christ talking seven thousand years later, when he invited all that was hungry and thirsty to “Come unto me.” “I will give you life freely.” The word thirst refers to a personal desire for man to know God. The word bread as use here refers to everything that is necessary in life like food. Clothing and shelter but these are just tributaries to the heart and soul of man.
This invitation is inclusive just as the title indicates. If you are ready to turn [or return] to God, then come without money…there is no cost…all is free. This has the same connotation as does grace in the New Testament. Grace is free…there is no cost. Salvation is by grace but through faith.
People understand that physical food cost money and is never free—someone has to pay for it. It only lasts a short time and only meets some very special needs. This comes through the hands of men. Spiritual food comes through the grace of God and can not be bought. How do we get it then? The book says that we [come] [listen] [seek] and [call on God] but we do this without price or money.
God’s covenant with David promised a permanent home, with no threat from other countries, but Israel did not keep their part of the covenant and their disobedience led to wars and destruction that left only a remnant to return and rebuild.
People were told to call on God while he was near, and there has been no change in this instruction. You may have thought that He is always near, but there is a condition here. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He never moves away but we do the moving and the distance grows because of our moving away and our livings out-side of his covenant responsibility.