Micah 2:12-13
Someday, O Israel, I will gather you;
I will gather the remnant who are left.
I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen,
like a flock in its pasture.
Yes, your land will again
be filled with noisy crowds!
Your leader will break out
and lead you out of exile,
out through the gates of the enemy cities,
back to your own land.
Your king will lead you;
the Lord himself will guide you.
This prophecy from Micah was written about 700 years before Jesus’ birth. God always has the long-term goal in mind, and throughout the Old Testament we see how he was preparing and planning for Jesus to come rescue the world long before the time was right to send him. We are in a similar place now, waiting for the return of Jesus to earth that was prophesied in the New Testament. We visit this passage in our Immanuel series because God’s heart is so clear — he will make a way to be with his people. He will not abandon them in exile.
Here’s your freedom for today: God wants to lead you.
The final verse in today’s passage has such a soft tone to it: “Your king will lead you; the Lord himself will guide you.” Jesus is not just a king, he is your king. God does not shout directions from afar, but instead becomes a personal guide for you. The Holy Spirit is given to us when we follow Jesus, and he prompts us and leads us to follow God’s ways. God is interested in you, and all seven billion people on our planet. He is not limited in relational capacity, so all who come to him are welcome. He is Immanuel, God with us and ready to lead your life.