Today as I was reading Micah 7, I stopped at verse 7: “As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”
“As for me…” This phrase appears 54 times in the Bible (NIV), often as a comparison of a godly person’s response to others in the world. The instance that immediately comes to my mind is Joshua 24:15: “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (For deeper study, also see 1 Samuel 12:23; Ps. 55:23; Ps. 71:14; Ps. 73:28; Jer. 26:14; Micah 3:8. Even Pilate uttered these words at Jesus’ trial: “As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him”[John 19:6].)
Here, in Micah 7, the prophet has shared his heartfelt sorrow for the decline of the society around him. He said that the godly people have all disappeared (v. 2); they’ve become skilled at doing evil (v. 3). With that in mind, Micah says, but as for me … Micah, like other leaders after God’s own heart, decided to be distinctive and distinguishable, even if others thought he was just weird.
So how do I respond? Others around me are doing ____, but as for me, I will _____. As for me and my family, we will _____. How would you fill in those blanks?
The world around us is getting increasingly evil. Even Christians (but are they “Christ followers”?) I know rationalize sin, dishonesty, and lack of integrity. But as for me, I will put God first and obey him. I will, by the Holy Spirit’s power, live a life of integrity and authenticity. I will, by His power within me, love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love my neighbor as myself.
Everyone who desires to be a leader after God’s own heart must also complete this phrase, As for me, I will _____.
Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:10-12).
