Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 15

“He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations far away; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Micah 4:3)

From: December 15, 2013

After three chapters of judgment, God spoke of a future day when the nations would “study war no more.” But this peace cannot precede judgment. Otherwise, the seeds of the next war would be contained therein. Many asked Micah to stop preaching such stuff. Too negative. But Micah replied with the word of the Lord, “Do not my words do good to him who walks uprightly?” In other words, the one who “walks uprightly” understands that real peace is more than the cessation of hostilities. It is the changing of the human heart that comes only through the Lord, that fills everyone with love and forgiveness.

“Oh, people of Judah, shave your heads in sorrow, for the children you love will be snatched away” (Micah 1:16)

From: December 15, 2012

The prophet Micah foretold a day when Judah would fall to Babylon and their children would be taken. Evil always targets the innocent. Didn’t the worldly king Herod kill all those under two years in Bethlehem, trying to kill Jesus? What happened in Newton, CT yesterday reminds us that evil is real and that humanity is fallen and that Jesus is our only hope of redemption.

“They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (Micah 4:3)

From: December 15, 2011

A description of the Millennial Kingdom where the nations sing, “I ain’t gonna study war no more!” Only the Lord can bring such a thing to pass. His return will finally accomplish “Peace on Earth.”