Love Wins

by: Mark Fackler

It’s rare for a poorly equipped, moderately skilled athletic team to beat the champions. We like to see underdogs win. In God’s game plan, the trophy goes to those who are least likely to be odds-on favorites.

In Exodus, Egypt should have won; no way could slaves escape from one of the most powerful empires on earth. David over Goliath – would you have correctly picked that winner?

Now, God’s people watch as their northern brothers fall to the Assyrian army. Micah warns that Judah will fall too. But this defeat will not last forever. Because of God’s love, the situation that looks bleak and hopeless will turn into victory. Like Egypt (see

v. 12), like Goliath, the powerful enemies who intend to crush Jerusalem’s temple will “come trembling” to the righteous reign of God (v. 17).

Micah’s words gave Judah hope, despite all the evidence. God was Judah’s hope, though for a time God’s judgment would be necessary and harsh. God is “steadfast love” (v. 18) – for Judah and for you. The hope we have is that God’s love sometimes takes time, but the force of his love is enough to bury our sins in the depths of the sea (v. 19). Even now, God is preparing marvelous things for you.