Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light to me.… I. THE CONFLICT SUPPOSED. The language is very strong; the figurative terms employed suggest their own images; it is a sad but not a desperate case; there is hope in the Lord concerning this thing; but, meanwhile, there is a conflict going on which puts to the proof the strength and courage of Micah. We are here meditating upon the mental warfare that went on in the battlefield of a prophet's heart. That which belonged to him is common to us all — not always, but at certain times. Some Christians make this mistake; they seem to expect that because they are Christians they shall be exempt from the temptations and evil inclinations of other men. II. THE SOURCES OF THIS SPIRITUAL CONFLICT. We want nothing but the history of our heart to explain this. The sources of this conflict of thought and feeling are threefold, — the world, the devil, and death. III. THY FREQUENT ANTICIPATION OF DEATH, WHICH IS A SOURCE OF PERPETUAL CONFLICT TO MANY. The fear of death is natural; it is probably a principle implanted from above, to prevent man from rushing unbidden into the presence of God. And to this fear the believer is liable, even as the unbeliever. (W. G. Barrett.) Parallel Verses KJV: Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. |
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