FAMILY IS IMPORTANT!

FAMILY IS IMPORTANT!

Mic 7:2-7

2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.

7 Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

          A news item attracted my attention this morning. There was an analysis of why murder among young black men was ten times higher than both whites and Hispanics combined. The reason, opined the commentator, was the disintegration of the black family. White families are disintegrating as well but just not as fast. He continued to say that 73 percent of black babies are now born to unwed mothers. Those babies will grow up without a committed father figure in the home and will develop resentment without supervision. Gang structure has replaced the family structure.

          Micah begins by reviewing things as they really are in verses 2 through 4. They do evil with both hands earnestly. Like a hungry man who forgets his manners when he sits down to a fine meal, those who do evil do so vigorously. The home is specifically mentioned. Verse five describes an atmosphere of distrust among family members. Verse six describes disrespect which spawns rebellion and strife. All the boundaries and walls have broken down. No one honors rules or obeys laws because respect, honor, dignity and civility are no longer taught in the home. Jesus quotes verse six in Matthew 10:36.

          Micah knows that God is the answer and in verse seven he trusts in His mercies. Warren Wiersbe comments on this by saying: “In the light of the terrible condition of the land and the judgment that was impending, wouldn't it have been a wise thing for the people to turn from their sin and trust the Lord? Would it not have been a smart thing for them to claim 2 Chron 7:14 and seek God's face so that He might heal their land?”

Dear Lord, we wait for Thee. Heal our heart. Heal our families and heal our land. AMEN