I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord

I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord

Scripture:

Then they will cry out to the LORD, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done. Micah 3:4

This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead my people astray,
they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them. Therefore night will come over you, without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them. Micah 3:5-6

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin. Micah 3:8

Observation:

In the first passage, we are given a picture of the leaders and rulers of Israel crying out to God in vain. There is no answer. The Lord hides his face from them. The reason is clearly stated in the verse – because of the evil they have done. One key verse in the New Testament springs to mind. “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. All of us are sinners. All of us have gone astray, as the Psalmist says. However, the Lord has laid on Him (our Lord Jesus), the iniquity of us all. Jesus has become our righteousness. Only in His righteousness can we be saved. Yet, are we free to live carelessly and sinfully because His righteousness saves us? No, “we are to make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14) We must not be deceived. Grace is not a license to sin, but it is our destiny and purpose after we are saved to grow in the Lord from glory to glory, led by the Holy Spirit. If we persist in following evil, taking God’s grace for granted, He will finally hide His face from us. The Lord is holy. Those who persist in sin cannot have fellowship with Him.

In the second passage, the Lord rebukes the prophets who lead God’s people astray by proclaiming peace for the sake of personal benefit. Many preach a gospel of prosperity and extravagant blessing, and masses flock to them. Their focus is on worldly things, on enjoying the things of the world now. In contrast, the Lord Himself exhorted us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Worldly blessings thought not wrong are secondary. The primary purpose is extending God’s kingdom, and seeking righteousness. Seeking righteousness is not trying to be saved by works, it is about learning to live in the way Jesus wants us to, guided by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist exhorted “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. Repentance means to turn around, to change one’s mind. When we repent, we turn our hearts and minds from purely doing things our own ways, being focused on our own benefits and instead become focused on what the Lord wants, and how we can best serve Him and extend His kingdom. We turn away from being self-focused to become Jesus-focused. Does your gospel teach you to focus first on your own needs and blessings or to focus on the Lord Jesus and seeking God’s righteousness? 

In the third passage, we see that Micah was filled with power, with the spirit of the Lord. The Holy Spirit who is with us is our source of dynamic power and strength. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit “ says the Lord. The Spirit of God is so powerful that nothing in all creation can ever measure up to Him. The verse further declares that accompanying God’s Spirit is justice and might. Justice and righteousness are hallmarks of God. When we seek justice and righteousness, the Spirit is pleased and is there with us in our work. When we neglect justice and allow corruption and favoritism to come in, it grieves the Spirit. What was the purpose of Micah being filled with power? To declare to Israel her sins and transgressions! The Word of God is like a two-edged sword, dividing through joints and marrow, soul and spirit, judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The Word of God used rightly has great power to expose what is false, and examine the sincerity of each heart. 

Application: Remember that without holiness no one will see the Lord. Therefore, seek to be holy, depending on the Holy Spirit to help us. Beware of those who preach popular messages and say things people like to hear. We are to always seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Know that the Holy Spirit is there with us. He is all-powerful and mighty, enabling us to overcome all things as we hope in Jesus. Seek to always do what is right and just and fair in all our dealings.

Prayer: O Lord, Your Word is true. Without holiness, no one will see You. I am unable to do what is right in my own strength, but let Your Holy Spirit empower me that I might live a righteous and holy life in Your sight. Give me wisdom and discernment to identify and reject false teachings. Bless You O Lord, O  Holy Spirit for Your great power and justice. Live in Me, Holy Spirit. Lead me, that I might live a life worthy of God’s calling. Fill me with Your Power. In Jesus name, Amen.