"Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;
    siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the judge of Israel
    on the cheek.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be their peace."
- Micah 1: 1 - 5

If one was to use our contemporary language one would surmise that when Micah wrote this Israel was not in a good place (v 1, 3). In recent years, we have faced material disruption to our lives and at times from a variety of sources we were told that ‘things will get better’. This was perhaps sometimes expressed more in optimistic hope than with certainty but in today’s passage we find a prophetic and certain promise not of better times but great times of Blessing. For sure, the people of Israel needed some good news, a lift, an encouragement and perhaps as we approach Christmas we share similar feelings and needs.

A ruler (the Messiah) is promised although it would be another 800 years or so before Jesus Christ is born. (Refer to Matthew 2). What then is the significance for us of this prophecy? In verse 4 Micah announces that the Messiah will bring hope, security and peace to not only the troubled nation of Israel but to all who put their trust in Him, ‘He will stand and shepherd His flock’ (N.I.V.) with all the strength and majesty of God. Perhaps take time now to pause and re-read verse 4 and contemplate its meaning and significance for you.

So, even when life and times may not be straightforward may we be encouraged by these powerful and assuring words from Micah which reflect God’s great love and concern for each of us.

Better times indeed...great ones in fact for both today and for the future!

- Iain & Dorothy Liddell