READ Micah 7
Micah laments the degradation of his fellow men, but hopes in the Lord.

INSIGHT
Micah sets his narrative in an imaginary courtroom where he pours out scathing rebuke on the injustice he sees in the Israelites around him. The evidence is brought forth and the children of Israel are found guilty. Sins swarm from Micah´s pen, filling the first third of his book. The second portion of this book addresses sin. Jerusalem will be destroyed, and the people will be banished to captivity in Babylon. Typical of the prophets of God, the third part of the book tells of hope. A divine Deliverer will appear, and once again justice and righteousness will reign.

PRAYER
Thank the Lord that He heals our emotional pain, and praise Him because He restores our hope and joy:
The Lord looks down from heaven
And sees the whole human race.
From his throne he observes
All who live on the earth.
He made their hearts,
So he understands everything they do.
But the Lord watches over those who fear him,
Those who rely on his unfailing love.
He rescues them from death
And keeps them alive in times of famine
(Psalm 33:13-15, 18-19).

Now express any additional thoughts of praise, adoration, or thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
And stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself,
“I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone
(Psalm 32:5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Many sorrows come to the wicked,
But unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
So rejoice in the Lord and be glad,
All you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
(Psalm 32:10-11).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Sensitivity to the needs of others
• Strength for missionaries in Central America
• Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him (1 John 3:1).