O Earth!

      Hear, you peoples, all of you; pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord GOD be a witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. For behold, the LORD is coming out of his place, and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains will melt under him, and the valleys will split open, like wax before the fire, like waters poured down a steep place.
Micah 1:2–4
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O Earth!
            There is a sense of urgency in Micah’s voice. In these opening verses, he sets the tone for the rest of the book. Though this prophecy was directed at God’s two apostate nations of Israel and Judah, His proclamation is for everyone, “O earth, and all that is in it” we are told. No one escapes God’s judgment. There is no place we can hide. We will never be powerful enough, smart enough, or rich enough to defend ourselves from God’s judgment. We have not obeyed His Word, and His Law exposes our sins. But in doing so, it allows for a cleansing. We feel the weight of our trespasses thereby knowing we have sinned. And in knowing our sinful nature, we come before God humbly and repentantly. For He sent His Son to take those sins and die on the cross for us. So that when convicted by His Law we turn to Him for relief, not hardening our hearts and remaining in rebellion against our God. Led by the Holy Spirit, we are able to cling to Christ and His righteousness and know that we are forgiven.