A God Who Delights to Show Mercy

Introduction:

· Have you ever had someone kick you when you’re down?

LET’S LOOK AT THREE PROMISES GOD MAKES WHEN HIS PEOPLE FALL APART: HE LEADS US IN THE PRESNET, PROMISE A FUTURE, AND HEALS THE PAST.

I) God Leads us in the Present

A. The Misery of a Fallen People

i. Judah had fallen to a low point

1. Micah wrote to Judah as the north is falling (what about the south?) (1:1)

2. The leaders had abdicated their role in favor of selfish gain…(3:11)

ii. What do we Do When We hit rock bottom? (1:8-10, 2:3-4)

1. The South would soon be humiliated, disgraced, mistreated

2. Sin àshame… Workaholism à family in ruins; What do you do then:

B. The Promise of a Good Shepherd (vs. 14)

i. God’s People seek the care of a shepherd (

1. This is a personification: “HELP!” HUMBLING, but LIBERATING!

2. APPLICATION: “I can do it myself” à “Help!”

3. Some of us want God (on our terms); OR, as long as we’re in the know

ii. What will it look like for us to seek the shepherd’s care?

1. Trusting the shepherd's care: trusting His LEADING (vs. 14a)

2. Trusting the shepherd’s care: trusting His WILL:(vs. 14b)

3. Trusting the shepherd’s care: trusting PROVISION: (6:14; vs. 14c)

GOD PROMISES TO SHEPHERD US IN THE PRESENT; HE ALSO HAS A PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE.

II) God Guarantees the Future Of His Kingdom

A. A New Way to Understand “The Nations”

i. Does God favor Israel, and dislike other countries? (vv. 16-17)

1. Frequently we read of God’s judgment on nations – why?

2. Is God somehow hostile toward other countries?

ii. No, God is expanding “Israel” to encompass all nations so

1. The nations: a system of belief, and values, a way of doing things

2. Paul makes this point in the NT: (Phil. 3:20)

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

3. EXAMPLE:

B. God Will Destroy Worldly Kingdoms & Establish His Kingdom

i. God’s plan is to destroy all systems that represent the worldly system

1. Worldly systems under Satan’s control will be crushed

2. Sounds bad – but kingdoms built on pride, selfishness, oppression

ii. God’s Plan is to extend His Kingdom globally (see vv. 11-12) 

1. God plans to expand His “kingdom” to include people from every nation

2. APPLICATION: Hope when we get weary!

GOD SHEPHERDS US IN THE PRESENT, HE GIVES HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE – HOW DOES HE DO THIS?

III) God Deals With Our Past (VV. 18-20)

A. God’s People Need Forgiveness

i. The eternal question:

1. How can God both take sin seriously even while loving?

2. EXAMPLE: How do you heal a marriage after an affair?

ii. What sets God apart? (vs. 18)

1. Other gods are capricious – they’re either loving at the expense of justice

2. Or, they are capricious, punitive, vindictive (Today; OR back then)

iii. God promises to forgive: (vv. 18-19)

1. God deals with the power of sin to condemn us (vv. 18-19a)

2. God deals with the power of sin to oppress us (vs. 19b)

B. God Gives us Jesus for Our Forgiveness

i. God does this by answering Micah’s Prayer:

1. One day, Jesus the good shepherd came to shepherd us (John 10:11

John 10:11 ESV

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

2. How is Jesus better than oppressive religion? He lays down his life!

ii. APPLICATION

1. Some of us track guilt and our own shame à“Who is a God…”

2. Some of us feel helpless in the power of our sin: HOPE!

Transition:

Conclusion

asd