Micah 4

Scripture Reading:  Read Micah Chapter 4. 

Leave the Delivery Room:

Micah 4:10 – “Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field.  You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued.  There the Lord will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.  (NIV)

If there’s one thing in life I have no first-hand experience with, it’s the pain of childbirth.  I was next to my wife when both of our children were born, but I couldn’t experience the pain of childbirth she experienced.  Of course, she would say that the pain is worth it; we have two incredible children who came because of that pain. 

How strange would it be for a new mother not to want to leave the delivery room?  Every new mom is eager to leave behind the pain of the delivery room to experience the joy of raising their child. 

Micah is prophesying Judah’s future captivity in Babylon.  The exile will be a terrible time for Judah, like the agony of childbirth. In the following sentence, however, Micah prophesies Judah’s coming redemption.  

Our sin and disobedience produce pain and separation from the Lord. Praise the Lord; that’s not the end of the story; there is hope. There is the promise of redemption and restoration; it’s the promise of new birth.  Unfortunately, many are choosing to stay in the delivery room (or remain in exile like Judah), choosing to live in the pain of childbirth while the promise of new life can be theirs through faith in the Lord Jesus. 

Prayer:  Lord, forgive me for my sin and disobedience.  Thank you for the redemption and restoration you offer; give me the strength today to walk in your redemption.