Micah 2:1-4 - Character

Scripture:

Micah 2:1-4
1 Woe to those who scheme iniquity,
Who work out evil on their beds!
When morning comes, they do it,
For it is in the power of their hands.
2 They covet fields and then seize them,
And houses, and take them away.
They rob a man and his house,
A man and his inheritance.

3 Therefore thus says the Lord,

"Behold, I am planning against this family a calamity
From which you cannot remove your necks;
And you will not walk haughtily,
For it will be an evil time.
4 "On that day they will take up against you a taunt
And utter a bitter lamentation and say,
'We are completely destroyed!
He exchanges the portion of my people;
How He removes it from me!
To the apostate He apportions our fields.'
NASU


Thoughts:

A lot is learned about a person's character when they are in a position with no earthly accountability.  What do they do when they can "get away with" some wrong?

The people addressed by the Lord here have the power to steal (verse 2) from their fellow Israelites, without any fear of legal action (verse 1b).  But they forget that God is the highest authority.  Just because no human justice is done, this does not remove His justice.  Woe to those who think in such a way!  For the Lord is not ignorant of the events of anyone's life, though He may appear to be silent. 

Likewise, we too should remember this same truth.  Though we may never dream of stealing from someone, our behavior may still be different when we are "alone" versus with a Christian brother or sister.  But God is always there.  Those in Christ have had their sins punished in Him on the cross it is true, but our lives are to be a light to the world in every moment, not just on Sunday.  As Paul wrote of himself, we are ambassadors for Christ to a lost world:

2 Corinthians 5:20
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
NASU

Prayer:

Lord, make me aware of Your presence with me, even when I'm alone.  Let me find encouragement from that and a burning desire to always do what's right, not allowing even the tiniest sin to enter my life.  I know I can never be perfect, but may I not be a willing party to my own imperfection.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.