The Old Testament is a spiritual gold mine filled with types and shadows, prophecies, and glimpses into the character of our great God who never changes. He is a God of covenants, which are binding and sacred agreements between God and His people. In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Covenant promised God’s blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience. Today, the New Covenant promises that whosoever will believe on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus as a propitiation for sins will receive forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. The God we serve is all about relationships with those who will trust Him. Recently, I happened upon a declaration of faith in Micah 7:7-8. The words are powerful and apply to all who call the Lord their God, both yesterday and today.
Who Was Micah?
Micah was a prophet of God who lived in the 8th century. He had a very serious word of judgment for both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Because of idolatry and corruption, God was about to allow foreign empires to conquer them. But just as God was more than willing to bring consequences for bad behavior, He was also quick to remind them of the blessings he would bring to those of the faithful remnant. In fact, the Book of Micah seems to alternate between judgment and hope, destruction and restoration.
Micah 1 starts with accusations of injustice, while Micah 2 promises rescue for the remnant. Micah 3 brings more accusations, but Micah 4 promises a later restoration and return to their land. In Micah 5, God promises that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem and eventually rule in Jerusalem over a people finally and fully restored by God. In Micah 6:8, Micah reveals what it looks like to follow God: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
But it’s in Micah 7:7-8 where we find the great declaration of faith. Israel is personified as an individual sitting alone in shame and defeat after destruction. But though God is justified in judgment, He is also merciful and true to the covenant that He made with His people. That’s why Micah could declare these words so confidently, even during a time of great sorrow.
A Powerful Declaration of Faith: Micah 7:7-8
Therefore, I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.
Micah 7:7-8
A declaration takes a universal truth and turns it into an expression of faith. But it doesn’t just state something as true as a matter of belief and personal testimony. It also aligns our hearts and lives with God’s character and promises. Romans 10:9 speaks to both the importance and power of declaring something out loud as a personal statement of faith that reflects what we believe in our hearts.
A quick word about “will” versus “shall” in the Bible. The word “will” indicates a personal desire or intention. It’s more like a hope of what you want to happen or something that might be contingent upon something else. “Shall,” on the other hand, indicates a certainty or a command. It’s unavoidable and cannot be changed.
Let’s Break It Down
“Therefore, I will look unto the Lord.”
It has been said that anywhere you find the word “therefore” in the Bible, you should try to figure out what the word is there for. It’s a signpost of cause and effect, so you must look at the preceding verse or verses to completely understand the reason for what comes after it. In this case, the chapter begins in Micah 7:1 with the words “Woe is me” and proceeds through the next five verses with a long list of laments about the moral failings of his fellow man. The shift in Micah 7:7 happens when Micah indicates that it is the brokenness around him that is the reason he turns to God. He says that he “will” because that is his intention, his choice, to focus on God instead of his surroundings.
“I will wait for the God of my salvation.”
Here we see another “I will” statement. Micah plans to wait on God. It is like someone who finds a bench at a bus stop and settles in with the intention to stay as long as it takes for the next bus to arrive. But what really stands out to me here is the description of God as the “God of my salvation.” It’s remarkable when you think about it. How often do we hesitate to believe that God is for us, that He wants what’s best for us, and intends to help us? But how can we believe that the same God who saved us, who sent His Son to die for us, would withhold any good thing from us? If we can believe in Him for salvation, we can believe in Him for His care and provision.
“…my God will hear me.”
How many times does the Bible tell us that God hears our prayers? There isn’t enough time or space to list them all, but two prominent verses come to mind. From the Old Testament, Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” From the New Testament, 1 Peter 3:2 says, “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that when God’s people pray, He hears us. The Enemy may whisper his hot breath in our ears that God is too busy for us, doesn’t care about us, or that our requests are too big or too small for God, but the devil is a liar. Like Micah, we can also boldly say, “My God will hear me!”
“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise.”
I love how these verses follow the pattern of James 4:7. It says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” While Micah 7:7 reveals Micah’s patient trust in God, verse 8 defiantly warns the enemy not to get too happy too soon. Now, Micah doesn’t sugarcoat the situation. There ARE going to be times in life when we fall/fail/miss the mark. Not “if” but “when” that happens, we “shall” arise. Remember that “shall” means that it’s a sure thing. Just as mistakes are unavoidable, so is our restoration if we will but cling to the Lord in faith.
“…when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.”
The declaration began with an acknowledgement that it is the conditions of his time that specifically led the prophet to turn his focus to the Lord in the first place. The verses end with that contrast. While the world may be dark, our circumstances dire, and our mistakes great, there is hope in the Lord. When all is darkness around us, the Lord’s light is certain to shine bright as a beacon of hope we can count on.
Memorize This Declaration
The Bible tells us to hide God’s Word in our hearts and renew our minds. Both the Bible and science agree that memorizing, meditating on, and repeating the truths of God’s Word can rewire our thinking. Abstract ideas and good intentions suddenly become iron-clad faith and unwavering determination when we declare them out loud. The words of Micah 7:7-8 remind us that we must focus our attention on the Lord, the same God who saved us and will hear us when we call. They also remind us that hard times are temporary, and no matter our circumstances or the darkness that surrounds us in this world, God SHALL be a light of hope to us. It’s guaranteed.
Download this visual reminder and/or sing the Scripture memory song until you know it by hear
If you like to look closely at scripture through analogies, try One Condition for the Promises of God. it’s a look at the “will” and “shall” statements made by God in the Bible. Please sign up to receive my blog in your email inbox. You can find that at the upper right of your screen (or at the bottom on a phone). Also, check out my YouTube Channel, where I read the blogs out loud and have a playlist of hymns. For Scripture memorization through music, visit The KJV Rocks, featuring word-for-word KJV Scripture songs. Sing them until you know them by heart!
