JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Micah 4:5.

“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.”

This chapter reveals the blessing of belonging to God and His Kingdom. The prophet lays out a vision of the future where God teaches us His ways so that we may walk in his paths.

The word of the LORD will go out from Jerusalem. Nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. No one will make them afraid.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of grace, truth, and peace in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Person of Integrity from the Bible is Micah.

He was a prophet of God who ministered in the time of King Hezekiah. We don’t know much about him beyond what he wrote in the book of Micah.

His book addresses social ills of his day and warns of coming judgment. He said, “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds.”

But his message also contained hope, predicting the coming of the Messiah, highlighting God’s mercy to pardon sin, and showing us God’s will for living a life that God considers good.

In Micah 6:8, the prophet writes, “He has showed you what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

The faithfulness of Micah to turn people’s attention to what is good inspires us to follow after God’s own heart and to live a life of integrity.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com