December 16

Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

If we have eyes to see, we can always see God at work. He is always doing something in us and around us, so we must pay attention. Even, maybe especially, during hardship, difficulty, and pain, God is at work.

Micah describes the judgment God will bring against Israel and the surrounding nations but amid the judgment comes a powerful description of Jesus written roughly 700 years before his birth. In this prophesy we see several descriptions about who Jesus is and how he is working in our lives. He is first described as a king. The one who alone can rule Israel and the world with justice. The sovereign king over the universe and our lives. Second, he is a shepherd. Someone who will lead with care and compassion for his people and provide ultimate security. He is further described as a judge and savior. Since he is both judge and savior, we can have assurance in our salvation since the ultimate judge has saved us and declared us innocent. Jesus is always at work ruling, shepherding, judging, and saving.

The clearer we see Christ at work in our lives the more concretely our lives should reflect him. We are called “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Since he is just, we should reflect the same attitude, since he is a merciful savior we should show mercy to even our enemies, and since he is king we should be his humble servants like those described in Revelation 7. Finally, we are to join the chorus of those praising God in heaven now and who will do so into eternity. Christ is the only one who is ultimately worthy of praise because of who he is and how he is working in our lives. So let our lives be about him.

Father God, may I live in a way that reflects you to the world. Give me eyes to see where you are at work and join you. Amen.

Question: How should your life more clearly reflect the character of Jesus?