In 1 Peter 5:1-5 we find a summary statement that speaks to the nature of, and relationships between, Christ, the elders of the church, and the people of God. In this exhortation to men who are called to lead, we also receive important instruction for the entire body, and our eyes are lifted to Jesus, the chief shepherd.

In 1 Peter 4:7–11, we find “A Picture of Life Together.” As the apostle writes to believers living in a world that is hostile to the message of the gospel and its messengers, we find three characteristics that by God’s grace should mark the people of God, and each local church.

The final words of the book of Micah are a word of doxology, a crescendo of praise that teaches much about God in only a few words. Micah 7:18–20 begins with a rhetorical question, “Who is a God like you?” and then answers it that we may know about, and even more, that we might know the Lord in three specific ways.

Micah 6:9-7:17 moves from darkness to light, from cursing to blessing. And the road between these contrasts is one of repentance. Through words of judgment, we feel the chill of sin; yet within the remnant of God’s people, signs of life begin to spring forth. These verses unfold to show the nation restored, a new exodus led by the Good Shepherd, and the nations of the world bowing in worship to the One True God.

We slow down our study of this minor prophet to explore how Micah 6:1-8 helps us understand not only what God requires of us, but also to marvel at what God has done for us. In this poetic courtroom scene, we realize that what was at stake in the lives of God’s people long ago is still an urgent matter for us today.

Micah 5 proclaims the good news of a ruler who will be born in the town of Bethlehem. This Promised Shepherd-King will govern his people, protect them, save them, and bring them peace. The chapter not only describes the coming ruler but also shows what his reign will mean for the lives of his redeemed people

From the ashes of judgment in the previous chapter, Micah 4 rises with a promise of restoration and renewal. The prophet is given a vision of a mountain from which the Word of the Lord goes forth, and the nations of the world flow upstream as God redeems what his people had done. Here we each find a truth we need to rehearse: whether it is to repent of specific sin, or for courage in a specific situation, we are invited to lift our eyes, turn our hearts to God, and hear the call, “Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord.”

Micah 3 brings us into the darkest corner of the prophet’s message. The lives the people had built were collapsing, their worship corrupted by sin, and their nation on the brink of being swept away by a storm of judgment. Yet all is not lost. We have already seen that everyone 3 who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. And even here, a light shines in the darkness— a prophet declaring the Word of God to the people of God, urging them to turn back to Him in repentance and faith.

If the whole of Scripture tells “A Story of Sin and Salvation,” Micah 2 summarizes it in a single scene. Here we find the hearts and lives of God’s people running headlong in rebellion, even as his Word calls them to repent and return. Yet, like the great narrative of the Bible, this chapter does not leave us without hope—but calls us to hope in the God who saves.

In the opening verses of Micah we are met with an introduction to both “The Message and the Messenger” of this book. While we don’t hear all the parts of the sermon in chapter one, we are given a clear map that will help us chart the rest of the course.

In Psalm 71:14-24 we come to the second half of this “Life Full of Prayer and Praise.” Last week we looked at the first 14 and a half verses under the heading “Lessons in a Life of Prayer.” Today we pick up where we left off and will look at “Reasons for a Life of Praise.” My prayer is that these same reasons would take root in us, shaping our own worship and deepening our joy in the Lord.

Psalm 71 is the song of a seasoned saint who has known well the steadfast love and abundant mercy of God through life. From youth, he was known the ways of the Lord; and over time that knowledge grew into a deep, personal relationship. Even through trials remain, he has learned the joys of A Life Full of Prayer and Praise.

In Psalm 70, We will see David sing a song-prayer. If there is one thing that we have certainly learned from David throughout the Psalms, it's that David's rescuer is not Superman. David's refuge, his Redeemer is God. It is God who has come through, time and time again for David.

Psalm 69 is titled Save Me, O God and we find the author in deep distress and despair. This situation is not caused by war or physical hardship, but by words. The thoughts and words spewed by others bring shame upon David. You remember a few weeks ago in Psalm 64, where the David’s enemies “whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows?” It appears a similar situation is happening here. This Psalm is full of emotion as David is crying out, waiting on a response from God. And in this crying out and waiting, he reminds himself to put his hope in a holy and just God who will respond at the correct time and in an appropriate way.

Psalm 68 is Israel’s victory march celebrating God’s provision for his people and his defeat of their enemies. Most of this psalm is about what the Lord has already done (or will do). But dispersed throughout these 35 verses is one singular command that repeats over and over: to sing.