Reclaiming Power – Micah 2:1-11
The Prophet Micah’s instructions to ‘act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly’ first function as an indictment against Judah’s rich and powerful. Judah’s political and religious leaders had turned to exploitive practices to line their pockets and accumulate influence all at the detriment to the disenfranchised. Thus, Micah’s prophesy reverberates through the ages as a poignant reminder for the people of God to use whatever power we have at our disposal for the flourishing of others.
Three Things to Remember:
A prophet is a messenger sent by God to call the People of God back to covenantal or relational faithfulness.
The Old Testament Covenant was an agreement between God and Israel. When a covenant is broken, the relationship is broken, and there is fallout from the broken relationship.
God does not just leave the people in their brokenness. He works to restore his relationship with them, the covenant through the prophets.
Image bearers have power that is meant for the flourishing of others, to be shared in community through justice, mercy, and humility.
Micah 6:8 “ He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Idols of Judah:
Idol of Money
God cares about what we think about money, and how we steward it.
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” 1 Timothy 6:7
Idol of Power (Resource: Playing God by Andy Crouch)
Power can be bolstered by a multitude of things.
Privilege:
It’s the responsibility of the privileged one to determine how their power will be stewarded
“The exercise of true power always involves us in risk and requires creaturely dependence on God and other people.” - Andy Crouch
Authority
Hidden habits and hidden loves corrupt souls until they overpower us and lead to injustices
Idol of Pride
Pride can be summed as the idol of self.
Self-sufficiency is a lack of humble submission to God
Biblical Power
Biblical power is meant for creating space for thriving, collaboration, reconciliation, relationships, and multiplication of power.
God’s desire is for image bearers to practice their authority in a way that embodies the commitment to giving of yourself to God and giving of your power to and for others.
“Power is nothing without Love and Love without power is less than what it was meant to be.” - Andy Crouch
Acting justly is a lifestyle. When we love mercy, acts of justice will follow.
“True power that multiplies is on the other side of the choice to empty ourselves of power.” - Andy Crouch
Three Actions to Help Us Reclaim the Gift of Power:
1 Abide with the Lord
Resource: Invitation to a Journey by Robert Mulholland
2 Be Interruptible
Add one solitary discipline to your rhythm
3 Silence, Solitude, Fasting
*Disclaimer: if you’ve ever suffered from an eating disorder or live with a diagnosed medical condition, you should consult a doctor, therapist, or pastor prior to fasting.*