Micah 2:7 - Homiletics

The beneficial influence of God's words upon the obedient.

By the "words" of God we understand the utterances of his gracious mind. These were communicated unto the fathers by the prophets; in "the fulness of time" they were made known by his Son; to us they are given in the Scriptures of eternal truth. Their influence upon us depends upon our attitude towards them and upon the spirit we cherish. If our aim is to live a godly life, and to pursue the path of rectitude and obedience, they will prove truly helpful to us.

I. GOD 'S " WORDS " " DO GOOD " TO THE UPRIGHT IN HEART , AS IT RESPECTS THEIR PERSONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LIFE . They become thus benefited:

1 . Physically; being preserved by these teachings from those excesses into which the ungodly often fall ( Psalms 91:16 ; Psalms 119:95 ).

2 . Mentally; their minds being directed to the sublimest themes, by meditating upon which their intellectual faculties become purified and strengthened. Men possessed of the highest intellectual endowments have acknowledged their deep indebtedness to the holy words of God, and have accepted them with the profoundest reverence and the warmest gratitude.

3 . In the darkest seasons of their life "God's words" have cheered and comforted them, and through the sanctifying influence of these they have been rendered in times of severest trial so tranquil, and so calm in death that it may be said—

"The night dews fall not gentlier on the ground,

Nor weary, worn out winds expire so soft."

II. GOD 'S " WORDS " " DO GOOD " TO THE UPRIGHT IN HEART , AS IT RESPECTS THEIR SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS .

1 . Their healthful influence is experienced in the home life of the obedient. In such homes, selfishness, coldness, jealousy, anger, strife, are avoided; and love, sympathy, union, harmony, are continually cherished. God's words are daily recalled to mind, and the voice of praise and prayer continually ascends to their Author. "Good" is thus experienced. There is written on such abodes, in characters legible and golden, the inscription, "Peace." Day by day the members of such households become united in a firmer bond to each other and to God. Yea, it is theirs to enjoy in the home of earth constant foretastes of the home of heaven.

2 . And their healthful influence is experienced in the intercourse of man with man. God's words give special enforcement to the principle of mutual regard which should be cherished by the children of men. In proportion as the power of his utterances is realized will the servant be led to promote the best interests of the employer, and the employer to act generously towards even the humblest in his service. The holy teachings of our God impel those who truly accept them to minister to the necessities of the distressed, and to endeavour to alleviate human suffering and woe. Love is indeed the essence of all that he has spoken. And abounding in loving teachings for the guidance of its recipients in their social and everyday life, God's "words" promote the good even of those who unconsciously come within the range of their influence.

III. GOD 'S " WORDS " " DO GOOD " TO THE UPRIGHT IN HEART , AS IT RESPECTS THEIR POLITICAL INFLUENCE . The men who are under the sway of these pure words which God hath spoken are the true promoters of the national weal. Nations, in order to their real prosperity, need to hear and heed the voice of God speaking to them as to Israel of old, and saying, "And now what doth the Lord require of thee but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways … for thy good? " ( Deuteronomy 10:12 , Deuteronomy 10:13 ).