Saturday, December 17, 2016

A Prophet's View




But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall com forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.  And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.  -- Micah 5:2, 4
The political climate in the United States has gone from somewhat sunny to very threatening. Millions of people are in a forced wait-and-see position while accusations, recriminations, and imagined cataclysmic thoughts swirl.  Perhaps it's a piece of God-timing that it's unleashed itself this way at this time of year -- during Advent.  Advent is the church season for looking ahead, anticipating, the coming of a Savior.  Which savior are you anticipating?

I want to point you to the promise Micah was proclaiming.  Each and everyone of us, in our lowliness, in our insignificance, and our lack of control to affect the machinations of worldly power need Micah's promise.  Micah was speaking to a lowly people feeling the crushing weight of a foreign power moving inexorably toward them.  The Assyrian army had made their powerful presence known, destroying villages and cities throughout the Northern and Southern Kingdoms.  The people were no strangers to bloodshed, grief and loss.  But, the promise Micah brings is one of a lowly Messiah, taking on the role of a shepherd, to feed, strengthen, and protect.

This Messiah is the one Christians point to as Jesus, the Incarnate God, who is born.  He dwells among us and shows us the stances to take even in the midst of grueling hardship.  It is not a stance bearing swords, name-calling, and revenge.  It is one of prayer, doing kindness, and keeping our eyes on what is positive.

In the light of a political claimant proclaiming greatness to the ends of the earth, it is a healing and peace-restoring moment to pause and embrace the real Messiah.  Breathe in real security and affirm where greatness to the ends of the earth truly rests.

Prayer:
Dearest God, Emmanuel, you are with us.  Let us be fed by your hand, be strengthened by your guidance, and have our anxieties put soundly to rest.  Amen.

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