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Sunday, June 28
Micah 5:2 (NIV)
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Devotion
Pastor Franklin spoke last week on Giants and Giant-Killers, and as he took us through several Giants in the Bible and the Giant-Killers who looked to and depended upon God for strength and wisdom. He concluded by saying there was One more giant killer shown to us in the book of Micah.
Micah 5:2, written about 700 B.C., is a Messianic prophecy that was fulfilled in the New Testament. The prophet Micah foretold that a ruler over Israel would emerge from Bethlehem Ephrathah. The fulfillment is seen in Matthew 2, verses 5, 6 when the Magi arrived seeking ‘The King of the Jews’. King Herod gathers the chief priests and teachers of the law to answer.
Matthew 2:5, 6 – “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’
The word Bethlehem means "house of bread" or "place of bread". It is no insignificant detail that Jesus refers to Himself as the Bread of Life who sustains us.
John 6:35 - “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
Ephrathah comes from the Hebrew root meaning “fruitful” or “place of fruitfulness”. It is by His Spirit alone that we can bear fruit as we yield to Him. (Galatians 5:22,23).
Now what does a Giant Killer do? He silences the accuser! He silences defeat that comes with words that trigger fear in us. Fear that our family, our finances, our health, our sanity, are threatened with the intent for us to lose hope. A Giant Killer ignores the weapons that cause us to tremble in our hour of darkness. These weapons that would demolish our faith; yet when we look to Him who conquered the greatest spiritual giants - even the ultimate thief, death – we stand victoriously.
What is the giant in your life today? Look this giant in the eye and declare he has no space in your mind, your family, your finances, your health, in Jesus’ name! Because that is another thing Giant-killers do: they occupy the spaces that once held us captive!
Today's Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for giving me the victory through my Lord Jesus Christ. And thank You that it does not matter my size nor my stature in comparison to the challenges I currently face. My hope and my strength rest in You, because I trust in You. And therefore, having done all to stand, I stand. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Acknowledging that your strength comes from Him alone gives you access to His power and authority in the name of Jesus. Therefore, stand fully clothed in God’s armor. Meditate on each piece today: Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, the Word of God, and salvation. (Ephesians 6:14-17)
Resources
- If you were at Forward Conference this weekend, share your testimony and experience here.
- Join us today for worship as we celebrate the victory of lives transformed at Forward Conference. Come be encouraged and uplifted as we lift up Jesus together. Join us in person at a campus near you or online on the Free Chapel App, Facebook, YouTube, or live at live.freechapel.org.