EMPOWERED

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“But as for me, I am filled with power—with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.”

Micah 3:8 (NLT)

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

In yesterday’s devotion, we found the Lord taking the false prophets of Israel to task, calling them out for speaking lies in His name and misleading His people in the process. Already living in the darkness of sin, God promised that this darkness would serve as a shroud over anything these deceitful messengers tried to carry out in the future, eliminating their ability to deliver predictions. This would result in what the counterfeit spokespersons deserved, leaving them in shame and disgrace.

This is what wickedness looked like, wickedness grounded in living separate from the Lord.

Today, we look at the other end of the spectrum, at what happens when a person commits themselves fully to the Lord’s service and walking in the light of His righteousness. Here’s what Micah said about

His status with the Lord while faithfully serving Him as a prophet:

“But as for me, I am filled with power—with the Spirit of the Lord. I am filled with justice and strength to boldly declare Israel’s sin and rebellion.”  Micah 3:8 (NLT)

Note the comparison and contrast between the false prophets and the legitimate messenger Micah.

The false prophets were filled with iniquity and their own will. Micah was filled with power from the Lord.

The false prophets were spiritually empty. Micah was overflowing with the Spirit of the Lord.

The false prophets were absolutely unjust, adjusting their mistruths according to whether or not someone catered to their wishes. Micah was filled with justice because He was completely connected to the Lord, the perfect source of justice.

The false prophets were weak in their transgressions, totally vulnerable and susceptible to the Lord’s judgment. Micah was full of the Lord’s strength and knew that through that strength he could do all things.

The false prophets were in no way proclaiming God’s words because they were completely disconnected from Him. On the other hand, Micah was able to declare truth, the truth that Israel had sinned and rebelled against God, soon to pay the price for it through His punishment.

Indeed, it was a night and day difference between the two with the hinge point being whether or not they were placing their full faith, hope, and trust in the Lord.

Today, we find people divided into the same two categories.

Those who choose to live in darkness will find themselves separated from God because of their sins and in the crosshairs of His consequences.

Conversely, those who choose to live fully for Him, ever seeking to walk in the light of His righteousness, will find themselves empowered, energized by the Holy Spirit and filled with strength to carry out the Lord’s purposes, no matter what He calls them to do.

Which category do you fit into?

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark
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