Day 259, or September 16. God is not a vague concept. Our thoughts today come from Micah
chapter 5 verse 2. But you, Bethlehem Ephrata, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from
of old, from ancient times. And now the big picture surrounding this verse.
In the days of Micah, Bethlehem was a famous city often called the City of David, who was
perhaps the greatest king Israel ever had. Jesus was a descendant of David, and often
referred to as the Son of David. However, if Jesus had not been born there, I doubt
very much if many would know of its existence today. I'm sure I wouldn't have visited
it so many times. Micah tells the Israelites that their God is pleading with them to repent
and change. Wow! The all-powerful God pleading with His creation.
Gods in ancient days pleaded with no one. They demanded obedience and threatened death
to those who failed to please them. Our God is so different to man-made gods. In addition,
Micah confirms that Messiah would be born in this little place. He even gives it its
full name so that there's no room for mistakes. And now today's action step. Micah gives us
one of the best-known words of prophecy in the whole Bible, when he tells us centuries
before the event takes place exactly where Messiah will be born. He roots it in a real
place in a real country. So many critics accuse believers of having an airy-fairy faith that
demands blind obedience and doesn't stand up to questioning. I always smile when I'm
told that science disproves God. How anyone can believe there is no supreme being behind
the amazingly complex natural world around us is beyond me. The world is so well structured
and operates so perfectly, it certainly can't be man-made. We have a well-organized God
who brought everything into being, and He loves us. How can you live the rest of today
without a smile on your face? Be ready to respond to any who ask. Why the smile then?