December 17 | Micah 5:1-5
- Kim Starr
- Dec 17, 2024
- 2 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
The Gift of Peace
By Kim Starr
We are in the midst of Advent – a time of anticipating the birth of Jesus, our long-awaited Messiah and King. All focus during this time is on the hope-filled arrival of Jesus.
The people in Micah’s day were enslaved to the Assyrians and had been for a while. Micah tells the people to expect judgment to come upon them and informs them that they will remain in bondage until the Messiah arrives. I’m sure the people were unhappy with Micah’s news because it meant more waiting, something they seemed to do a lot.
As God promised, the Messiah will come from the people of Israel and He will accomplish the will of God. The Messiah’s mission was determined “from of old, from ancient days” because he has always existed ruling and reigning from heaven with God. (v. 2) It was God’s plan from the very beginning to bring the Messiah to earth to accomplish His will. For Christians, our hope, our peace, and our comfort come from God, the Messiah. Jesus was born to give us peace with God.
The Messiah came at the right time just as God intended. This Christmas is coming at the right time, too. Even though it feels like much of our world is full of uncertainties, whether it is pressures at work, stress over the economy and our finances, challenges over personal relationships with family, friends, and neighbors, or a situation we choose to name, Micah reminds us that we can have peace through Christ if we truly rest in him. We need to put all our anxieties aside and look to where Micah is pointing us – to a humble boy born in Bethlehem who came to make peace for all of us by his blood on the cross. Let our focus be on His arrival.
PRAYER
Oh Lord, as we anticipate you coming help us to focus on your birth and how all of our hopes and fears are met in your arrival. Your gift gives us the opportunity to receive blessings from heaven. When we receive you, you will enter our hearts, cast out our sin, and be born in us. We ask that you come to us, abide with us and give us your peace. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KIM STARR
I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.
Nice devotional. It brings hope. Thanks.