3 pillars of hope for the Future

 Read Micah 7.

"Woe is me!"
The time had come for Judah's punishment (v.4).  Everywhere Micah looked there was nothing but sin.  Leaders ran the country by bribery and violence.  No one could be trusted, not even one's own family members (v.6).  There was nothing good left; nothing worth saving.

"But as for me..."
However, through it all Micah maintained hope squarely based upon three eternal, unchangeable pillars of his faith.  His personal relationship with the LORD, the promises of God, and the character of God.

Personal Faith (vv.7-9)
Not everyone lived in rebellion against God.  Micah, as well as many others, stood in contrast to their culture with individual commitments to the LORD.
1. "I will look to the LORD."  When one keeps looking down, all they will see is sin and the negatives of life.  It is only when we look up to Him that we remember that God is in control.
2. "I will wait for the God of my salvation."  Since God is in control, only He can deliver.  Praying and waiting for God to respond is the true test of faith.
3. "When I fall down, I shall rise."  Failure is not final.  The godless culture may knock us down, but the fight is not over.
4. "When I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me."  Often we cannot see or understand what is happening.  The confusion may overwhelm us as a darkness.  But God's word is "a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105)

National Future (vv.10-17)
With the downfall of Israel and the looming destruction of Judah, the enemy nations taunted God's chosen people.  "Where is the LORD your God?"  And, the Jewish people surely were wondering what happened to the promises God made to Abraham and his descendants.  These punishments did not break God's promises in Genesis.  The people violated the covenant of Deuteronomy.  The scattering of the northern kingdom and the exile of the south were temporary.  The prophets consistently looked forward to the day when Messiah will rule in Jerusalem and the world come to worship Him.  This earthly, Millennial Kingdom was and is Israel's national hope.  Micah called to God, "Shepherd your people with your staff, and the flock of your inheritance."

Spiritual Foundations (vv.18-20)
"Who is a God like you?"  In closing the book, Micah provided some clear, crisp statements about the character of God.  No other faith system or religion can compare. 
1. The God of the Bible forgives sin.  There is not one alternative in the universe.
2. "He does not retain His anger forever."  Yes, the God of the Bible will discipline His people.  But it is for the purpose of discipleship and teaching how to obey Him.
3. "He delights in steadfast love." 
4. "He will again have compassion on us."  
As Jeremiah wrote, "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)