Setting Our Mind and Heart For 2023 Micah 4:1-5

Illustration: The future – Could you describe things you have seen in the future?

Content: Who is Micah and what did he have to say?

This passage: It is future; not the past or present.

Verse by verse:-

1.   “It shall come to pass.” 100% guarantee.                                                                           In the latter days – not now, future.                                                                                         The House of the Lord will be established in the highest mountain – literally??  The most prominent place on Earth.                                                                                        The people will flow – not quite like today.

2.   Nations will come: Why?                                                                                                     He will teach us HIS ways.                                                                                                        Walk in His paths

3.   He will judge. He is righteous.                                                                                                 I believe Australians like fairness, seeing justice done.                                          “Swords into ploughshares, spears into pruning hooks.” - No more war, no more weapons of war.                                                                                                                  Not even training for war.                                                                                                            What is the absence of war and conflict? = Peace. We will have World Peace for the first time.                                                                                                                  Remember Micah is trying to illustrate or paint a picture of the future.

4.   Sitting under His vine and fig tree.                                                                                                   - This illustrates no more want                                                                                              - No more need                                                                                                                         - Abundance                                                                                                                          “And no one will make them afraid. […..] The LORD of hosts has spoken.”                  - No more fear, worry, no anxiety                                                                                     This is, of course, future state.

5.   Verse 5 brings us back to the present reality of “people walking after other gods/idols.                                                                                                                                 - What are our gods/idols?                                                                                                     - a picture of the current generation, just as much as the Jews in Micah’s time.                                                                                                                         BUT: We will walk in the name of the LORD.                                                                    Do we, DO I, walk after Christ and His way?

CONCLUSION

As Christians, we should be following/walking in the Name/Ways of Christ

The name “Christian” means Christ follower. We are to turn away from idols and “other gods” whatever they may be.

The Christian life or way can have difficulties along the way.

God, in His wisdom, has given us glimpses into “our future” through His prophets.                                                                                                                            - Of what our life/state will be                                                                                                                    - It will be pretty awesome.                                                                                                                     Freedom from                                                                                                                                  - Ignorance  (Verse 2)                                                                                                                      - War (Verse 3)                                                                                                                                 - Need or wants (Verse 4)                                                                                                              - Fear (Verse 4)               

As Christians, our great future state, Millennial Kingdom or Heaven, should make us the most joyful, happy, excited people on Earth. But I see in some Christians, it barely causes a smile.

Today, I want to encourage you Christians, we have a hope, we have a fantastic future, in a place our feeble minds struggle to comprehend with our Saviour who loves us.

If this don’t put a “smile on your dial,” you may be dead.