Day: July 20, 2024

Old Testament: Micah 7

Poetry: Psalm 85 (day 2)

New Testament: Luke 19

“But as for me, I will look to Yahweh; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” — Micah 7:7 (LEB)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10 (LEB)

In a world often overwhelmed by corruption and despair, both Micah 7 and Luke 19 offer us powerful messages of hope and redemption. These passages remind us that no matter how bleak our circumstances may seem, God’s love and salvation are always within reach.

Micah 7 depicts a society engulfed in sin and injustice. The prophet agonizes over the overwhelming corruption, yet he chooses to watch in hope for God. Micah’s confidence is not rooted in the present circumstances but in the unchanging nature of God. He waits patiently for the God of his salvation, assured that God will hear him.

In Luke 19, we see the fulfillment of the hope that Micah clung to. Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised for his dishonest, corrupt ways. Despite Zacchaeus’ reputation, Jesus seeks him out, calling him by name and choosing to stay at his house. This act of grace leads to Zacchaeus’ repentance and transformation. Zacchaeus’ story vividly illustrates Jesus’ mission: to seek and save the lost.

Both Micah and Zacchaeus found their hope in God. Micah trusted in God despite his society’s moral decline, while Zacchaeus found redemption through an encounter with Jesus. We, too, are called to place our hope in God, trusting in His promise of salvation. Zacchaeus’ transformation shows the power of God’s grace. No one is beyond redemption; Jesus seeks us out, offering a chance for a new beginning. Our lives can be profoundly changed when we come to God through Jesus. Micah’s patient waiting for God’s salvation and Zacchaeus’ immediate response to Jesus’ call both demonstrate the importance of faith in action. We must wait with hope, but also be ready to act in response to God’s call.

-Jeff Ransom

Reflection Questions:

1. How can you place your hope in God amid the challenges and uncertainties in your life?
2. In what areas of your life do you need to experience the transformative power of God’s grace?
3. How can you be a faithful steward of the resources and opportunities God has entrusted to you, making Him known, while actively waiting for His guidance?

This week, consider these questions and take steps to deepen your relationship with God, embodying the hope and transformation He offers to all who seek Him through Jesus.