Journal Micah 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills.
And peoples shall flow to it and many nations shall come and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord; to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may:
- Teach us His ways, and;
- That we may walk in his paths.”” Micah 4:1-2a
Observation: I forget that the Great Commission has a preceding clause ahead of it.
Analysis: Where do I get my enthusiasm of telling of the Lord’s goodness to me? Where do I get the background of why He is good to me? To the world?
Where do I get personal conviction and not stubbornness to complete a function like evangelism?
These are difficult subjects to put to public writing and may cause readers to be shocked. My wife reminded me that these postings are my Journal; they are not primarily “teachings” (although if the Holy Spirit uses them, I am humbled). These are the subjects I wrestle with. Whatever, whomever reads them, I hope that they start a journey of seeking God with the hard questions of their heart, humbly laying the questions at the foot of the Cross and between the pages of His Word.
Putting the elephant to bed: Yes, I am for evangelism, and I address that daily. But make no mistake: God wants, is plainly telling the readers of His Word, that as Micah prophecies, the people are to learn of His Ways so that they “walk in His paths.”
Paul referenced this frequently in his letters: “Walk worthy of the Gospel; Walk worthy of the calling in which you have been called.” This is what Jesus said:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…” Matt 11:28-29a
What to learn? His Ways.
What does that mean to me? That I should pay attention to what being a disciple is all about.
Here is what I think is the standard: Follow me, be imitators of me as I follow Christ. (c. 1 Cor 11:1)
This changes my perspective on how I am to live…
Prayer: Lord, it is evident to me in this season that I am struggling with my emotions at war with my mind, with your Word. It shows me how weakly planted are your ways in me.
I want to pull up my britches and resume being a man after God by repenting of my sinful thoughts and attitudes (including just plain being sad) and walking hard after you.
Make me, even if I am the only one that responds, to point to the Mountain of God and declare: “There!! See? The Savior of the Universe. Come, let us go to worship Him and give our lives to Him who alone is Worthy to receive them.”
Cause revival.
AMEN.