Micah 4:6

Micah 4:6 says, In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;  We know that the nation of Israel in Micah's day had become weak, because they did not follow God's will for them. When this says that God had afflicted them, I believe that the affliction was a result of losing God's protection as a nation.  When we refuse to obey God, we should not be surprised that we suffer afflictions from our lack of obedience.  We also know that God calls all people to be assembled by faith in Him.  Verse seven adds, And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.  God promises to maintain a remnant and heal them and make them strong.  Some would apply this to the nation of Israel today, but since they still refuse to acknowledge Christ as their Savior and Lord, I believe that it would apply more to the church, those who are followers of Christ.  Verse eight continues, And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.  I believe that this refers to the coming of Christ, Who did indeed come first to the people of Israel.  Verse nine states, Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counseller perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.  God through Micah asked since the people of Israel, or Judah, had started to live by their own will instead of following the will God, why were they crying out to God when things were not going well for them.  He asked if they did not still have a king and if their counsellor had perished.  When we as followers of Christ are outside the will of God, even if everything in life seems the same, we will find no true peace and purpose in life.  Verse ten adds, Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.  Instead of promising a deliverance from God at that time, Micah said the people were going to be taken away captive until God delivered them.  God was not leaving them without hope, even when they rebelled against Him.  If we begin to follow our own will and rely on our own strength today, we should not be surprised if we are taken captive by sin.  Still, if we are truly God's by faith in Christ, we can be certain of our ultimate deliverance.  Verse eleven continues, Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.  Just as in Micah's day, there are many nations aligned against God's people.  There are even many within the nation that calls itself a Christian nation that are aligned against God.  Verse twelve says, But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.  Micah proclaimed that those who thought they could defeat God's plan did not understand His council.  God said He would gather His people together again.  Verse thirteen adds, Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.  Just as God's people were told in Micah's day, we should arise under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit.  When we follow God's will, nothing can defeat us.