The prophet Micah spoke for God during a time when faithful people were seldom found. Because of the wickedness of the people, God was removing their physical riches:
“You will eat, but you will not be satisfied, and your vileness will be in your midst. You will try to remove for safekeeping, but you will not preserve anything, and what you do preserve I will give to the sword. You will sow but you will not reap. You will tread the olive but will not anoint yourself with oil; and the grapes, but you will not drink wine.” (Micah 6:14-15, NASB95)
This loss was a physical consequence of their sins against God. In chapter 7, Micah considers that this image also applies to his work as a prophet of God:
“Woe is me! For I am Like the fruit pickers, like the grape gatherers. There is not a cluster of grapes to eat, or a first-ripe fig which I crave. The godly person has perished from the land, and there is no upright person among men. All of them lie in wait for bloodshed; each of them hunts the other with a net.” (Micah 7:1-2, NASB95)
Micah continues describing the depravity of his people, but in verse 7, he records his response to all the wickedness that surrounds him:
“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.” (Micah 7:7-8, NASB95)
Micah lived through spiritually dark times, and today Christians are enduring similar circumstances. In every direction, sin is promoted and celebrated. God’s ways are considered foolish by many. Even in such a dark time, dedicate yourself to the Lord. Let Him work righteousness in His time. Even though dark influences surround you, let the Lord be your light, just as He was for Micah and all the faithful ones who have gone before.