Hope for the Fearful Heart: God’s Promise of Peace in Micah 5

Dec 15

God’s people longed for security, but peace came from the most unlikely place—a child born in Bethlehem who still speaks peace to shaken hearts today.

2 [a] But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.
When the Assyrian comes into our land
    and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven shepherds
    and eight princes of men;

The Prince of Peace: Experiencing God’s Peace in Your Life

We all live very full lives. There are careers, businesses, marriages, responsibilities with raising children, sports leagues with kids, dance recitals—many demands on our lives. But you can live a full life and have a weak faith. Having a strong faith is important for many reasons, and Jesus addressed some of those reasons very specifically in the Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus gave a promise we often overlook. He said it is definite that in all of our lives, there will be times when storm clouds arise, when there will be difficulty, when rain will beat on the house and test the foundation of our lives (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus is sharing with us that in a fallen world, there are going to be seasons of difficulty, pain, complexities, hardship, death, loss, and bereavement.

When those inevitable times come, if you have a strong faith and have built your life on the revelation of who Christ is, you’re going to have a strong foundation. If our life is strong, we can stand. If it’s not, Jesus declares it will be shaken.

When people are shaken, it drives them into all kinds of escapist behaviors. When that happens, we miss something very significant. We miss the development that God seeks to weave into our lives. You miss opportunities that God is seeking to cultivate in you.

In God’s love for you, He will allow mountains in your life for the sake of developing you, so that you grow into how to climb mountains in your walk with God. There are certain things nobody can hand to you, such as godly courage—that has to be developed. Nobody can hand you a developed prayer life—that’s something you’ve got to grow in. Nobody can hand you the pattern of how to feed on God’s Word—that’s something you have to take responsibility for before God.

In light of what Jesus has taught in Scripture, it is not a question of whether we will face difficulties and trials in our lives. Those are coming. But a strong, well-developed faith will determine how you respond when those times come.

Setting Up Micah 5

In the book of Micah, the people of God are under incredible pressure. When Micah wrote these words, there was no peace on earth or goodwill to men. The nation of Assyria was bearing down on them, putting them under significant pressure.

The people of Israel in the southern kingdom of Judah are fearful because they know an invading army is approaching. They are languishing in fear. This is a grim day.

What happens when we’re under pressure? Often what’s inside begins to come out. They had very corrupt leaders. They had been worshiping idols and making other things in their lives far more important than the worship, the magnification, and the preeminence of Yahweh. The people of God had drifted from Him, and as they drifted from God, trouble came.

God, in His love for them, is correcting them. He’s using the nation of Assyria to do the correcting. When we read Micah 5:2, the prophet says that while God is correcting you, He’s not doing so without hope.

[READ MORE: Receiving God Over Fear]

The Prophecy: From Bethlehem

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2

This verse is also in the New Testament. This is the verse the scribes took to King Herod when Jesus was born, saying, “Here’s the prophecy that there’s a ruler coming, a Messiah, a King coming.” This was the impetus for why King Herod had all the firstborn males in the nation two years old and younger killed (Matthew 2:16).

Bethlehem is not a premier city. This is more significant than you realize, because what we’re seeing here is a pattern in Scripture that unfolds from Genesis to Revelation: God often chooses to manifest His glory in unexpected places. This is sometimes referred to as “the lowest place.”

We see this in a myriad of ways throughout the Bible. Think about leaders like Jacob, Joseph, and David, who were not the firstborn and were not supposed to inherit everything as the firstborn in the family, according to Deuteronomy. But God raises these three men as great leaders, even though the older brother is supposed to have the birthright. The youngest is chosen—Jacob gets the birthright and the blessing, Joseph is exalted over his older brothers, and David is overlooked as Samuel examines all the brothers until the most unlikely, most insignificant is exalted (1 Samuel 16:1-13).

This theme shows up in Micah 5:2, where the word refers to Bethlehem as “one of the little clans of Judah.” There is nothing particularly significant about Bethlehem. Bethlehem’s not a big city, like a modern-day Chicago or Paris. It was insignificant nationally and globally. The only thing that made it even remotely relevant is that David was from there.

Why is this worth noting? We often see in the Bible God taking what seem, in the natural, insignificant things and turning them into astounding things. God frequently takes and develops His best from what’s perceived in the natural as being the worst or the least. Saul, the worst persecutor of Christians, but God gets hold of his heart and develops him as one of the best.

The Lesson: God Uses the Unlikely

For many believers in your self-talk, you might say to yourself, “I’m not sure God can develop me into this or develop me into that.” What we see all over the pages of Scripture is God taking what seems insignificant in the kingdom and developing persons with great kingdom velocity and force. We see this in:

Children: Jesus says, “Let the children come to me” (Matthew 19:14).
Teenagers: Mary, who is a vessel to bring the Savior of the world into creation.
Young adults: David is called forth as a king when he’s a very young man.
Adults of all ages: Such as Abraham and Moses, God is still doing new things in their lives in their senior years.

Do not underestimate what God is willing to do in your life, regardless of your age or life stage. The testimony of Scripture illustrates that God raises newness, including new life, new waves of His grace, and His movement among people who feel insignificant or may not recognize the bigness of what God desires to do.

Learning from Past Mistakes

In Micah’s day, the people of God had drifted from Him. Personally, I would rather learn from somebody else’s mistakes than make the same mistakes myself. So, what can we learn from past mistakes of God’s people? As we learn from their mistakes, let me weave in how to integrate the reality of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Himself, into our lives so that Jesus as peace becomes part of our experience.

First Mistake: Finding Security in the Wrong Things

The people of God found security in the wrong things. That was primarily manifested in their trusting in their army and its size rather than in the Lord. This represented a breaking of the covenant with God.

The result, Micah 4:11 says, is that God declared, “Now many nations are assembled against you, saying, ‘Let her be defiled, and let our eyes gaze upon Zion.’”

Micah gives a picture of a day when Jesus comes the second time, when armies would beat their swords into plowshares, and there would no longer be adversarial relationships on earth (Micah 4:3). But what Micah’s doing is pointing to the reign of Jesus. That’s what we need to pay attention to. Jesus, one day, will reign forever in a new heaven and a new earth. But what’s essential for us to not to miss is that He’s reigning now. He’s reigning at the right hand of the Father.

Ephesians 2:6 teaches that if your life is in Christ, you’re seated with Christ in the heavenly places. This means as a believer, you have access to Jesus. He is reigning. One of the descriptions for Jesus is that He is the Prince of Peace. This illustrates for us that a person is our peace.

In Micah’s day, people were putting their confidence in the wrong place for security. Believer, be mindful that Jesus is our ultimate security, no matter what shakes around us.

Second Mistake: Engaging in False Worship

The people of God had engaged in false worship. They had worshiped idols of their neighbors and also trusted in false counsel. Because of that, God was correcting the people. But Micah also points out that a day is coming when Jesus is going to reign, and when that day comes, there will be no more temptation to worship a false idol or anything else. We’re reminded to keep Christ preeminent in our lives.

[READ MORE: What Does Worship Look Like?]

How to Renew God’s Peace in Your Life

When I ask people, “Do you have a sense of the peace of God?” I often don’t hear them say they know the peace of God in their circumstances, the way God has designed it. So, let’s explore how we can renew God’s peace in our lives.

1) Reroute Yourself in the Gospel

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only for unbelievers, but it’s also for believers. Christian, be reminded that in Christ your sins are forgiven. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). In Christ, you’re at peace with God because Christ took your sin there. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses” (Ephesians 1:7). God forgives when you turn to Him in faith and repentance.

“If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). That word “advocate” means Jesus is your defense lawyer. He is standing at the right hand of God. You are seated with Him, Ephesians 2 teaches. As you’re seated with Christ, He’s defending you as you call upon the name of the Lord in Jesus Christ.

A clear conscience is a soft pillow. This is the pathway to peace, that your sins are forgiven, your conscience, your heart is cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. Reroute yourself in the gospel to the glory of God and being satisfied in who Jesus is.

[READ MORE: There is No Other Gospel]

2) Commune with God Through Meditating on His Word

Jesus shared with us that if you’re going to know Him intimately, if you’re going to journey with Him and grow, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Notice that Jesus is making a parallel around food. Most of us eat three square meals a day. Jesus is saying there’s a pattern here. Just as you eat food regularly, you need to feed on God’s Word regularly.

If I’m going to walk in the peace of God that passes understanding, then I need to meditate on His Word. The Bible teaches there’s a correlation between our joy and meditating on the Word of God. “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).

In other words, I think about the Word of God. I commit it to memory, and it helps me. I apply it into my life. It’s not enough just to hear it on Sunday, but I want to feed on it and apply it into my life. Nobody else is going to do that for you. That’s one of the mountains God gives you the opportunity to learn to climb with the Lord in prayer, in knowing Him, and walking with Him.

3) Commune with God Through Prayer

In Luke 10:38-42, we read the story of Mary and Martha. They are hosting Jesus at their home, and Martha is busy in the kitchen preparing a meal.

What is Mary doing? The Bible says Mary is at the feet of Jesus, and she’s communing with Christ. She’s talking with Him. The deepest longings of her heart are being ministered to, because when you draw near to your Designer, you draw near into your design. She’s finding a satisfaction of living water you can’t find anywhere else.

Martha sees Mary at the feet of Jesus and is audacious enough to tell Jesus what to do: “Jesus, tell her to get up and come help me fix dinner.” Jesus kindly replies, ”Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Everyone is busy, but process Jesus’ words there. Mary is creating the margin intentionally to get at His feet, even when there’s a pressing matter in the household. According to Jesus, she’s chosen the greater thing—the pathway to the peace of Jesus getting into your experience.

[READ MORE: How to Find God in a Wandering Mind]

4) Forgive by Releasing All Grudges

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18

A person who has an unforgiving spirit will not have the peace of God. Unforgiveness affects your emotions, the health of your spirit, and even your physical body. They all go together because you’re an integrated being. God made you holistic, but unforgiveness will rob you of your peace.

Remember the parable Jesus told about the man who had been forgiven the billion-dollar debt, which is what God has done in Jesus Christ for you, and then he walks down the road and sees a guy who owes him $20 and grabs him by the collar (Matthew 18:23-35). Jesus uses the incongruity of the story to illustrate what we do at times as believers.

In light of the grace and the mercy you’ve received for your sin at the cross, extend the same mercy and grace toward others.

[READ MORE: How to Handle Conflict God’s Way]

Peace Amid Problems

In Micah’s day, they were engaged in the sin of putting their hope in things that were not their security, putting other things ahead of God Himself, and God was correcting them. As He points to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, be mindful that Jesus doesn’t give a peace that means problems are absent, but the Bible describes a peace in Christ that is available to us even in the midst of problems.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

What does the author of that passage know that you and I need to know? What is it in his testimony that needs to get into us?

In 1555, Nicholas Ridley was an Anglican pastor in England. He spoke out about an injustice in the government and was issued a death decree—he would be executed. Nicholas Ridley was burned at the stake for his stand for Jesus Christ.

The night before, his own brother asked, “Nicholas, I’m willing to spend the night with you, to be a support to you.” Nicholas shared, “Brother, that’s not necessary. I intend to sleep just as soundly as I’ve ever slept because I have the peace of Christ that passes understanding.”

We can hear that story and say, “Oh man, that’s really something,” and move on. Or we can pause and ask a deeper question: What did Nicholas Ridley have in his relationship with Christ that I may not have, but is available to me in Christ?

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). When you put your faith in the person of Jesus Christ, Scripture says you entered the kingdom of God. His Kingdom is at hand, and these realities are available to you—God’s way of doing things, which is righteousness, His peace in Jesus, and His joy in the Holy Spirit.

“The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

That’s a popular verse; however, when Paul wrote that, he didn’t write it in isolation. He described the roadmap. The preceding verse shares:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything, but everything through prayer and petition, weaving thanksgiving, which is what you have to be thankful for, before God’s throne, and present your request to Him. The result is the peace of God, which doesn’t make sense rationally, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The logical question for us is not, “Oh, that was something for the Apostle Paul.” The deeper question is: What did the Apostle Paul have that is available to me as a believer that I may not be experiencing in my walk with Jesus Christ?

[READ MORE: How Does God Meet Us at Our Lowest?]

Letting Go of Control

JESUS: “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

There are things in our lives that can remain bound, and you can keep them bound as a believer. You can worry about something and get all bound up in worry. You can worry about a grandchild, a son, or a daughter. You can wonder about their safety or worry about their salvation. You might have a business problem you’re trying to unravel.

You can stay bound in anxiety and worry. Jesus declared that whatever you bind on earth, it’s bound in heaven, meaning the force of heaven can’t get to it because you’re holding on to it so tightly.

When Jesus finishes the verse and says, “Whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven,” what are we taught to pray around the heavenly realm? “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). When you loose worry, when you loose anxiety to God, God declares it’s loosed in heaven, and He takes it.

This is why Peter wrote, “Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Maybe, for some of us, if we listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, He’s saying: Let go. I’ve got it. But you’ve been holding on to control so tightly, you’ve not been able to hear the still small voice speaking to you.

Peace is a person; His name is Jesus, and He doesn’t want to change your life. Jesus wants to exchange your life. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The Prince of Peace, the one who delivers you from evil and delivers you from fear, anxiety, worry—all the tactics of the enemy where he seeks to oppress you and make you feel anemic in your walk with Christ—He is available to you. I encourage you to let go and let Him take over.

What has bound you up? Is it a worry? Is it a fear? Is it something you feel anxious about? Let go. Give it to Jesus. Rest in His truth: “Cast all your anxiety on me, for I care for you.”

The Prince of Peace reigns. He offers you peace at all times, in every way. Will you receive it?

TL;DR

Micah speaks into a moment of fear, corruption, and national instability, announcing that true peace comes not from strength or strategy but from a coming Messiah born in Bethlehem.
God consistently brings salvation through what the world considers insignificant; Christ is the ultimate example of God’s surprising, upside-down peace.
False securities—idols, misplaced trust, and ungodly counsel—rob God’s people of peace, while the presence of Jesus restores peace from the inside out.
Practicing peace means re-rooting in the gospel, communing with God through Scripture and prayer, releasing unforgiveness, and trusting that the Prince of Peace reigns even in our storms.