Scripture Reading: Micah 1:1-16, Micah 2:1-13, Psalm 46:1-11, Hebrews 6:13-20
Our air conditioner broke this week. I’m from the far north, where central air is a foreign thing and window units are turned on maybe thrice a summer. I live in Texas now, though, and while a heater is a thing you could maybe do without, an air conditioner is not optional. My husband called me today and gave me the estimate of a new system and I felt my stomach drop into my pinky toe.
How much? I asked him. This much, he said. My mind immediately turned to our savings account. Finally, after a year of beginning to accumulate some savings, we were hoping to have enough to repair our foundation or put some equity into the home itself. WelI, I said, there goes that.
A year ago this month we had a colossal financial loss. It was a perfect storm of sudden job loss, multiple moves cross-country to and from high-priced cities, the sale on our house falling through five times before (finally) selling at nearly a $100k loss to us. We hemorrhaged money for nine months until there was nothing left. I felt as physically defeated as I have ever felt, and our bank account actually was.
In that space, God did not come through with astounding miracles or great hurrahs. He came in quietly, through a sentence from a friend or a glimmer of hope—for months and months and months. I ached, but I began, eventually, to ache toward healing. He began to hem me in, though in an even a greater way than before, so I could learn to rest in His protection and care for me.
And with that healing I imagined God would deeply plant the lessons I’d learned in the process, that I would never have to repeat the same struggle to the same degree. Surely, I knew now that God was my provider, my shepherd, my caregiver? And because I knew it, I assumed He would never take the time to prove it to me again.
I sometimes believe we’re alike, God and I. I reason that because my mind changes, His must too. I’m positive He’s scheming a switcheroo, some grande finale where I’ll be the one left on the outside of the fence. I mistakenly believe I’m saved upon my own merits; the things I have learned or the lessons I have accumulated. I begin to believe I bring myself into the fold and am not simply brought in by Him.
But God, in His goodness, swore by Himself that He’d bring me in (Hebrews 6:13-20). From the get-go and from the start, before the foundations of the earth, before Eve ate the fruit, before the twelve tribes scattered, before the cross of Calvary, He counted me in. He gathered me in, “like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture” (Micah 2:12)—kept, secure, and protected.
Sheep can still get hurt in the fold. They can still sprain a leg or trip over a stump. Today I’m reminded of that as I sit directly in front of my oscillating fan and try hard not to think about our savings account. But sheep in the pasture have a Shepherd who is near to them—caring, attentive, and present. I sometimes begin to believe God has ousted me when things are going badly, that I have sinned too grievously or disappointed Him too greatly. But, the God who does not change, brought me in, and there I remain, His.
Lore Ferguson Wilbert is a writer, thinker, and learner. She blogs at Sayable, and tweets and instagrams at @lorewilbert. She has a husband named Nate, a puppy named Harper Nelle, and too many books to read in one lifetime.
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41 thoughts on "Micah’s Lament"
Wow, the sentence about believe that God and I are alike hit home like a baseball at 90 mph. I struggle with this daily! How amazing to be reminded that the love and grace of God is incredible even beyond my comprehension! What a deep, powerful and unfathomable gift He has given for no reason beyond His love for me.
So so beautifully written Lore….
He is near… for always He is near…
Difficult to imagine or comprehend when times are hard and things are falling apart at the seams… But God….
He is near…
When we don’t feel His presence, when we fall short, when we dismiss the nudges, when we cannot put one foot in front of the other, when we are fearful, when we are ashamed… when we believe we know best… when we think we are alone…when… when… when…, He, as Only He has promised, is near…
This is me, when my family are hurting or in need or just wanting a hug, I want to draw them close…. I want to help…. How much more the God who created, for His delight, the author of the universe…
I love you Lord God, thank you for your love and grace, provision and protection, faithfulness and mercy… thank you Lord God for everything.
Amen.
Blessings dear hearts. With love…. xxx
Yes! How much more the God who created! He is near in all those moments. As I wallow in my pity party…He is near and I can turn to Him. Thank you, Tina. What a blessing you are ❤️
Thank you for this timely reminder. Our air conditioner broke this week, too. We have had more medical bills this year than ever and we keep hemorrhaging money. It has been wearing me down, but I know God will provide what we need when we need it. He always has.
Thank you for sharing your heart. This has been an encouragement to me.
Wow…
Great devotional!!
I’m sorry this has happened to you.
Still, we’re all so lucky, despite the challenges we face each day, let it be financial problems, health ones, family ones, peer pressure or nature phenomena who destroy our little life in the time of a heartbeat.
Still, just the other day, I was outside and the sky was do blue, and the sun was shining upon myself and I just thought “Lord, just by letting me have the opportunity to breathe, to see this, to feel the wind… they’re all reasons to keep going”.
And we are so blessed compared to people living in war zones, believe me.
I’m not condemning your anxieties, I have them too. I have moments of weakness. Will God really help me? The little voice in my head whispers, and I get ashamed, because God knows I’m doubting his loving and nurturing character in that moment.
And we must always know that the Lord never puts us on trials, despite most of the world blaming God for every wickedness of this planet. At least we truly know whre it comes from.
To end, Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Thank you, Daniela!
Yes!!!!! Great verse to summarize what Lore wrote!
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Amen!
Micah 1:2. Every day, Lord, may You find me paying attention to You.
Amen