Sorrow for Sins and Hope of Salvation!

Micah 7:1-7 

1 Woe is me!
For I am like those who gather summer fruits,
Like those who glean vintage grapes;
There is no cluster to eat
Of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires.

2 The faithful man has perished from the earth,
And there is no one upright among men.
They all lie in wait for blood;
Every man hunts his brother with a net.

3 That they may successfully do evil with both hands—
The prince asks for gifts,
The judge seeks a bribe,
And the great man utters his evil desire;
So they scheme together.

4 The best of them is like a brier;
The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge;
The day of your watchman and your punishment comes;
Now shall be their perplexity.

5 Do not trust in a friend;
Do not put your confidence in a companion;
Guard the doors of your mouth
From her who lies in your bosom.

6 For son dishonors father,
Daughter rises against her mother,
Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
A man's enemies are the men of his own household.

7 Therefore I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me.

Micah prayed with sorrow and grief over the sins of his people.  He likened it to gathering fruit of the tree or vine but finding no pleasure in eating that fruit which satisfies the soul.  He witnesses the truth God showed him that there was no faithful to be found anymore, none who does righteous (Romans 3:10, 23), just all who are after each other as if lying in wait to attack and kill one another or capture them with a net to trap and injure as if animals.  They are described as adept at using both hands for ambidextrous evil, scheming together in power to demand gifts and extort with bribes as they spout forth evil schemes for personal gain at the expense of brotherly love and care of the second greatest commandment (Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:31, 33) for one another.  Even the best of these was still like a brier with sharp points to irritate and harm others and like a dangerous hedge of thorns.  Judgment therefore was coming on them all with resulting confusion and fear at the consequences.  Therefore, Micah warned those with ears to hear not to trust close friends or even a spouse in those dangerous times.  Instead, they were given counsel to be careful what they say to not have it weaponized against them.  Children dishonored and became enemies of their parents in their sin just as Jesus told us would continue in the latter days because of adherence to God’s word (written and living) as He told us in Matthew 10:35-36 to hear and take to heart.  Enemies come from within (Acts 20:30) households of families and the assemblies of God alike in opposition and arguments even to violence.  What is the answer then?  It is to keep our eyes on our Lord (Psalm 130:5, Isaiah 25:9, Lamentations 3:24-25) for sovereign protection and guidance with the words to speak wisely as we find our deliverance in Him alone by faith and perseverance.  He does hear us!  We who have sorrowed for our sins and found atoning forgiveness in Him rest in His grace of eternal forgiveness that cannot ever be taken away according to His promise, just as the remnant of Israel who heard also have done.  This is our common eternal hope.  Together as Jew and Gentile we are all united in grace through repentance and faith as His children.