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Day 257, or September 14. Our God cares. Our thoughts today are rooted in Micah 1 verse

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3. Look! The Lord is coming from his dwelling place. He comes down and treads on the heights

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of the earth.

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Now the big picture surrounding this verse. Micah ministers primarily to the southern tribe

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of Judah, and in particular Jerusalem. He also addresses those far and near, with words

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for Samaria to his north, as well as Judah where he lives. Micah prophesies at the same

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time as Isaiah, and is a witness to the northern tribes being scattered by the invading Assyrians.

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During Micah's time, Hosea warns the northern tribes of what is to come, but they give him

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a hard time and refuse to listen. It is possible that the ministry of Micah was part of the

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build-up, ensuring a good response to Hezekiah's reforms towards the end of the prophet's

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lifetime.

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And now our action step for today. As part of the ministry of Micah, he was given the

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privilege of reminding his fellow Jews that our God is a God who cares, cares enough to

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come down to us from His dwelling place. The gods of the pagan nations surrounding God's

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people were distant and demanded their followers come to them. Our God is so much more than

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a supreme Creator. He is a warm, caring Father. The Bible tells us that we have a Savior who

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knows how we feel. Isn't it comforting when you meet someone who has time for you and

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is willing to listen to you as though you were important? We have a God like that. Micah

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reminds the people that God is willing to reach down to each of us. When you feel totally

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rejected today, God is always willing to listen. More than that, as His followers, we ought

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to be good listeners too. Too often we are advice-givers when instead folk want to be

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listened to. Listening is a great ministry and you don't need to know a lot to do it.

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If you wonder if this works, try visiting folk who live alone and just keep quiet. Let

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them talk. It's a tonic for both talker and hearer.