Beneath the Grape Arbor

"But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all people walk each in the name of his god, but WE will walk in the Name of the Lord our God forever and ever."
(Micah 4:4,5)

I've been thinking about this.

Micah is a prophetic book that speaks primarily to the coming kingdom of the Lord. Micah addresses the Sovereignty of God, His judgments, His compassion...His forgiveness.

Chapter 4 addresses "The Lord's Reign in Zion." And yes, it is referring to the time when, once again, God establishes His Kingdom upon the earth. Oh, what a wonderfully peaceful and glorious time that will be - well beyond our own comprehensions.

But, this is what I was thinking - and, actually, its nothing new. But, it is something we need to take to heart...

"But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid." Why? "For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken."

Picture this: Rolling, emerald green pastures dotted with the sweetness of lambs grazing in the natural splendor. The farmer of this land has been working very hard, toiling night and day to care for the land his Heavenly Father has given him. He lifts his hat, wipes the sweat from his brow and saunters over to the cooling shade beneath his grape arbor. The sweet aroma of nearby fig trees fills his nostrils. From this vantage point, the farmer surveys his land. An unexplainable peace fills him - yes, a satisfaction , a fulfillment. The farmer is content. He has chosen to walk through life with integrity, to live by faith. He works hard to please and honor his God by the work of his hands. The fruit of his labor surrounds him and, in the quietness of the moment, he can hear his Father whisper, "Well done, my good and faithful servant, well done."

When it is all said and done, I want to be satisfied with the work of my hands. I want to know that I have pleased the Lord my God through my labor for Him.

Verse 5 reads, "For all people walk each in the name of his god, but WE will walk in the Name of the Lord our God forever and ever."

Can you hear the determination in Micah's voice here, as he speaks for Israel? He is saying that whether you know it or not, everyone walks in the name of something - some god, some priority, some driving force.

But Israel - the people of God - WE will walk in the Name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

And when it is all said and done, we will sit beneath the shade of the grape arbor, mesmerized by the beauty of our land and enjoy the Presence and pleasure of our God.

SELAH

Lord, how I love Your peace! How I long to please You, to honor You in my life. At the end, I want to be at peace knowing that I have not labored in vain. I want to know that I have embraced the tasks which You have given me and worked with all my might to accomplish them. You are my God, my King. I am so thankful for You. I glorify Your Holy Name!