“How miserable I am!
I feel like the fruit picker after the harvest
Who can find nothing to eat.
Not a cluster of grapes or single early fig
Can be found to satisfy my hunger.
The godly people have all disappeared;
Not one honest person is left on the earth.
They are all murderers,
Setting traps even for their own brothers.
Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!Officials and judges alike demand bribes.
The people with influence get what they want,
And together they scheme to twist justice.
Even the best of them is like a brier;
The most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns.
But your judgement day is coming swiftly now.Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.
Don’t trust anyone–
Not your best friend or even your wife!
For the son despises his father.
The daughter defies her mother.
The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law.
Your enemies are right in your own household!” —Micah 7:1-6 NLT
Misery
“How miserable I am!” —Micah 7:1 NLT
“The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps for their own brothers.” —Micah 7:2 NLT
“Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord.’ He said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’” —1 Kings 19:3-4 NLT
“I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with You, torn down Your altars, and killed every one of Your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” —1 Kings 19:10 NLT
“The godly people have all disappeared; not one honest person is left on the earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers.
Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil! Officials and judges alike demand bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice.
Even the best of them is like a brier; the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns. But your judgement is day is coming swiftly now. Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.
Don’t trust anyone––not your best friend or even your wife! For the son despises his father. The daughter defies her mother. The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. Your enemies are right in your own household!” —Mich 7:2-6 NLT
God’s
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” —Psalm 34:18 NLT“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” —Hebrews 4:16 NLT
“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” —Micah 7:7 NLT
“I look up to the mountains––does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth!” —Psalm 121:1-2 NLT
“I wait confidently for God to save me.” —Micah 7:7 NLT
“And my God will certainly hear me.” —Micah 7:7 NLT
God’s
“Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” —Micah 7:8 NLT
Discussion Questions
Have you ever had the experience of difficulty creating uncertainty? Describe the difficulty and the uncertainty it created.
Do you share in the prophets Micah and Elijah’s tendencies where misery tends to create feelings of isolation and loneliness? If so, why do you think this is? Why do you think misery leads us towards loneliness? How do you typically repsond when you have this experience?
Read Psalm 34:18. What comfort is found in this verse regarding our misery? What does God promise us? What is not promised in this text that maybe we wish was in terms of misery and suffering?
Read Hebrews 4:16. What does God guarantee us in these verses? How is this helpful in difficult seasons of life?
Read Micah 7:7. This verse is our rescue. What two things does Micah say he will do in the midst of his misery?
Where do you tend to look for help when you need it? How does this help you see where your hope truly lies?
Waiting for God to save us can be one of the most agaonizing experiences. Especially when we’re dealing with severe situations. What are some helpful reminders that can help you as you wait on the Lord?