Title: Exemplary Prayer/Micah 7:14-17
Content Main text: Mic 7:14-17
Subject: Exemplary prayer
1. Commentary on the text
Verse 14: Rule your people with your staff, and feed your flocks in the forest of Carmel. May they prosper and be at peace. Let them live in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did in the past. Just as the Lord set the example of asking for our daily bread through the Lord's prayer, so Micah prayed for carnal needs. The rod of the Lord means “stick of blessing.”
Verse 15: Let them see all kinds of miracles, just as you did when you came out of the land of Egypt. The translation of this text is different in the King James Version, but it is a bit awkward in context.
Introduction
1. We pray all year round, but among them, the prayer at the beginning of the new year is more meaningful. So, many people take the golden hour of the New Year's holiday to see the beautiful appearance of visiting prayer centers.
2. There are so many things we can ask for through prayer. So, it is difficult to know what to seek. In this text, the prayer of the Prophet Micah is introduced. Let us learn the example of prayer we will seek through his prayer.
I. Let us pray for our daily bread (14).
A. Micah's prayer was a prayer for the prosperity of the nation.
1. He wanted to rule with the Lord's staff. A staff was sometimes used by them as an instrument of judgment. However, the rod Micah wanted was not a rod of judgment, but a rod of guidance.
2. They prospered and prayed for peace. Their result of rejecting God's intervention was war and defeat. First, the improvement of the environment was an urgent task.
3. In their memory, it was past prosperity. I longed for the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead. It was a prayer of confession acknowledging that it was impossible for them to recover to that state.
B. Let's get our daily bread.
1. We must throw away the wrong idea that prayer for the needs of the flesh is bad or wrong. Daily bread is essential.
2. In addition, we need a priestly attitude of prayer. Micah prayed for the prosperity of the nation, including himself. The priest's duty is not to show off. Serving others is an important duty of a priest.
3. What can the saints serve in a priestly attitude? It is to pray for the peace and stability of the country. And working together to make it happen.
4. We need physical food. The food of the flesh is never evil. The problem is when excessive greed intervenes. When economic stability is broken, our religious life and missionary activities are inevitably restricted. There are temptations as much as living well, but if you live well, you can donate a lot and invest in spiritual service.
II. Let's pray for spiritual hope (15-17).
A. I prayed for spiritual revival.
1. Show me a miracle like the parting of the Red Sea. The miracle of the Red Sea shown to the Israelites leaving Egypt was a buffer against their future trials. Although sometimes resenting and complaining, yes
The reason that Moses was able to follow Moses was because of the miracle at the Red Sea. The experience of faith is important for spiritual gathering.
2. The miracle of the Red Sea was a shock not only to the parties but also to other peoples around them. A ground that could not be overlooked was provided. But what about Israel today? Israel at the time of Micah had become an object of shame and ridicule. Only spiritual power can save them.
3. It is God's responsibility to take revenge. The believer must entrust all his injustices to God. Verse 17 is an appeal to all the injustices in the past. We need the fruit of faith, and among them, the fruit of life is very important. Believers should never come face to face with each other. Even when you are in trouble, you should ask God for help. The serious problem of our country right now is not a trade deficit or economic recession, but a change in our national character that we cannot make concessions to. They are only trying to protect their own interests. Even within the church, these ills are creeping in.