Reminders of His Freedom

Throughout the book of Micah, we read promises of both judgment and justice. Threatening messages are followed with messages of hope in God. The people of Israel and Judah were being called to repentance for their sinful behavior. Micah’s prophecy shared the promise of future restoration. God used the prophet to tell His people that the coming Messiah, who would be born in Bethlehem, would set them free from judgment (Micah 5:2). Micah was used by God to both admonish and encourage the people around him to look to God for their salvation, because freedom from sin is only found through the presence of God.

Though the Enemy works hard to keep you enslaved to sin (1 Peter 5:8), Scripture calls us to keep our eyes on the Lord. In a world accustomed to instant gratification in things like fast food and high-speed internet, having to wait can be a frustrating experience. Waiting is a powerful tool, however, that God uses to set us free. Waiting can be used to grow our trust in the Lord. In the midst of waiting, enduring suffering and trials, we have been given something to place our hope in.

Waiting is staying present where the Lord has placed us. God is sovereign over our circumstances (Job 12:10). There is purpose in all that He does. He cares for you deeply and has offered you freedom through His Son. It’s tempting to be bitter or angry when the Lord does not give a clear answer when you want it. We can act on our own desires like the Israelites, who demanded that God give them a king (1 Samuel 12:12), or we can find comfort in trusting the Lord’s track record of faithfulness.

Jesus brought Lazarus back to life four days after his burial (John 11:1–44). Jesus freed Mary Magdalene from being tormented by seven demons and transformed her into a faithful follower (Luke 8:1-2). Jesus brought healing to a woman with a bleeding disorder after years of suffering (Mark 5:27–34). Though we do not always understand His timing, we can trust that His timing is always perfect. As we wait for the Lord to redeem the world around us, we see that there is no limit to God’s faithfulness (Psalm 36:5).

God works according to His own schedule, but God’s agenda is to set the captives free (Luke 4:18). We can trust God as we wait for Him to bring freedom to our lives and the lives around us. The more we realize the depth of our sin, the easier it is to hope and long for the fullness of God’s glory. Jesus is coming back, and when He does, we will live in perfect relationship with Him, completely free from the grip and influence of sin.