Overcoming Struggles From Sin

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Chapters: The Book of Micah http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-266.html
Message Title: Overcoming Struggles From Sin

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Micah is the thirty-third book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains seven chapters. The author of the book is Micah and it was written to all nations. The timeline for these events took place between 758BC and 710BC. The purpose of the book is to call all to repentance to avoid judgment. What we are to learn from the book is that God judges all, He pardons all who repent, and trust in Him for their salvation. “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” - Micah 7:19.

As much as we would like to admit that we live by every word of God, the truth is, we do not. Every single saved, born again Christian struggles with something they are trying to overcome, but a few are content to keep the sin in their lives. Now, we are all saved by the grace of God and nothing can take away our salvation, but we will still suffer for the sinful things that remain. If we are working to overcome them God will help us, but if we have no intention of changing our ways, judgment comes, and until we repent, God will not hear our pleas for help. Micah was called by God to tell not to the Jews, but Gentiles of the immoral condition of Israel and the judgment that would result from it. These are people who know God, who know to do right, but still remain in sin.

“And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones; Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.” - Micah 3:1,2,-8,11.

Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us, many Christians make the assumption that because they are saved they can live as they please. Then when judgment comes they are the first to blame God for not being there. We cannot expect mercies from God if we are going to remain living in sin, fully knowing what we are doing is wrong. Now, if we turn to Him with all of our heart, intent on removing the things that we are allowing than He will be right there with open arms to help us. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8-10.

God warns His people, He allows them to suffer for their sins, but He also forgives, and forgives, and forgives. Through Micah we learn of the glorious day that Christ will reign and rebuild His kingdom with His remnant of believers, both Jew and Gentile, but this time the entire earth will be judged.

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.” - Micah 4:1,2,11-13.

But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel. So many people make the misconception that God strikes a person down for living in sin, the truth is, they do it to themselves. God does not have to do anything, the guilt, shame, and consequences they face all on their own is punishment enough. God is not being cruel or punishing anyone who chooses to live in sin, He doesn't have to because they do it to themselves. Through Micah, God stresses the importance of obedience, not having to constantly come to Him for forgiveness.

“Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine.” - Micah 6:6-8,13-15.

What is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly. You know the majority of the time we struggle with sin because of someone we know. Through Micah, God addresses those who put their trust in a person rather than Him, while we can depend up people for help, we must learn to rely sole upon God. “Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” - Micah 7:5-7,18,19.

A man's enemies are the men of his own house, my goodness what an understatement that is. There is not one person on earth that we can put our complete and total trust in. Why? Because we carry this wretched flesh and under certain circumstances, especially if we do not have God close by, any of us can fall. More people get hurt by loved ones than anyone else. I know, many people think they have been burned by God, but the truth is, they really put their trust in a person and when they got hurt they blamed God. God doesn't bring evil, we do, mainly because of our heart, and what we desire. God is always there to pick us up and even mend us, but unless we come to Him we will always remain bondage to sin. “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:34-36.

Today's Prayer: God, I know I have been in my share of messes in life, but there is not one that I did not create on my own. The amazing thing is that You were there to clean it up for me, when I just came to you. I know I tried so many times to do things on my own, but time and time again You remind me of how weak I am. Thank You for the strength to come to You and even though I still mess up from time to time, I know You are always there to help me when I come to You. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to keep my eyes on You and not on my heart, trusting that only You can truly help me overcome all my struggles. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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