LAME AND OUTCASTS

For the most part, I am concerned of the condition of most churches in Western nations. From my reading the church in Western Europe has ceased to exist as far as having influence on social issues in Europe. God will always have a witness among those who just have a form of religion. That witness may be small, but it is there burning bright in the midst of great darkness.


In the United States of America I fear that we have fallen far from the foundation of the gospel. The violence in our cities and schools is beyond comprehension. Over 40 million babies have been taken from the warmth of their mothers womb and thrown out with the everyday trash.


In my soul I feel that we are in the condition of Israel in the Prophet Micah's day. Micah prophetically reveals the condition and the judgment of nations that fall from God's grace.


In chapter 3 he speaks of priests that teach only for pay; prophets prophecy only for money. Yet they lean on the LORD and say, "is not the LORD among us? No harm can come upon us for we are speaking in His name. The result from the heavens is a nation that is plowed like a field, the capital city, the holy city becomes a heap of ruin and the mountain of the religious establishment will be like bare hills of the forest. No produce, no fruit.


Twenty four hours a day on religious television stations throughout this nation the prophets and priests preach prosperity and peace. Things have not changed since the days of Micah.


Christians fleeing persecution in Kenya are sleeping in trees as they flee their villages. Believers are being burned inside of their churches in Africa as tribal violence spreads across the nations.
Christians are tortured and murdered, entire families in Pakistan, Gaza, Indonesia and China.
Islamic nations forbid even the mention of the name of Jesus or for a person to posses a Bible.


And we preach prosperity while our brothers and sisters pay the ultimate price?


Here are the dear ones God holds in His loving hands. Micah 4 also speaks of a people that from a worldly perspective are outcasts and afflicted of God. He promises that these precious souls, the lame, afflicted and outcasts will become a strong nation. The LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion. Not briefly, but from now on, even forevermore.


True Believers all over the world are in pain. We are crying aloud and our counsellors perish. Pangs have overtaken us as a woman in travail. In Micah 4:10-13 this way of God is explained in depth. He says to be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail. For now we will go forth out of our place and even though we have been in Babylon we shall be delivered. In Babylon, this worldly system, the LORD will redeem us from our enemies.


Although many gather against us and try to defile us daily with false religious practices and venom against all true Believers they do not know the thoughts of the LORD. Neither do they understand His counsel.


The day is coming when all who have a heart for Him will arise and thresh through the wickedness of this perverse generation. No matter how weary we become at times, the day approaches when He will make our horn (strength) as iron and our hoofs of brass. We will beat in pieces those who oppose God. He Himself will set aside and consecrate our gain and substance in this effort for His Kingdom.


We shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD our God; and we shall abide; for now shall He be great unto the ends of the earth.


The culmination of our efforts as we allow Him to work through us is given in Micah 4:1,2 -

"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days (that is us!) that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established on top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and people shall flow to it. 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, He will teach us HIS WAYS and we shall walk in His paths."


During the times and seasons when we feel like the lame and outcast, He is in total control. Remember, our future has never been brighter. Look up, for our redemption is nearer than it was even one hour ago!