July 8 – Reading 189

july 8 – Reading 189

by John Christian Pra | July 8

“THE REMNANT GOD KEEPS”
(Micah 2:1-3:12 and Isaiah 7:1-25)

“I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob; I will gather the remnant of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men.” – Micah 3:12

Have you ever looked around and thought, “Am I the only Christian here?” For our young people, this can often be the sentiment while they find themselves in classrooms surrounded peers but sensing that they are the only ones seeking to serve the Lord. The same was true in Israel at the time. While they were set apart to be God’s people, there was so much corruption taking place that it seemed like the faithful ones had departed. 

The prophets in Scripture can often seem like a dreary bunch, bringing what sounds like a constant alarm of bad news. However, the role of the prophets was to warn and encourage the people to return back to God. The alarm was like a siren used to detect an oncoming tornado – if you don’t act soon, you might not make it. If you look closely enough, the message of the prophets usually contained a glimmer of hope within. 

Here the prophet Micah reminds us that God is saving for Himself a group of people who are dedicated to Him even in the midst of a dark culture – a remnant. While you may feel alone in your family, your workplace, your society, or even your marriage, there is good news: you aren’t alone. There are others around you who are walking in the same battle and remaining faithful to the Lord with the trust that God will work through them to bring light and life everywhere around them. 

In Israel’s darkest days, there was a remnant that God had kept to stir up revival in the nation. The same is true today: God has kept a remnant of faithful, burning men and women to stand firm when the temptation would be to cave. 

The question is: are you a part of God’s remnant? Will you remain faithful and be a person who God can use to call people back to Himself?

Reflections:

• Do you ever feel as if you are alone in walking this journey following Jesus?
• How can you connect with others who are seeking to live faithfully for Jesus?
• Are you a part of God’s remnant people, staying faithful in the midst of a compromising world?

Application: 

• Create a list of people who you can connect with and rely on to help you remain faithful to Jesus.
• Ask God how you can be a faithful light in the places He has put you.

Closing Prayer…
God, thank you that you never let your people fade away. Thank you, Jesus, that you always keep a remnant of those who remain faithful to you. I recognize my own instability, but today, Jesus, I ask that you would help me remain faithful in difficult times. I pray that I would be a light that shines in the darkness and shares the love of Jesus everywhere I go. Jesus, I pray the remnant of your people would rise up and make a difference in the world around us. Amen.