A humorist wrote, "When I was feeling down, someone told me, 'Cheer up, things could get worse.' So I cheered up--and they did!"

A superficial "cheer up" seldom helps people in distress. They long for reassuring news that life will soon change for the better. During my years as a pastor, though, I often had to tell very ill people that unless the Lord intervened they would soon die.

In Micah's day, many people in Israel no doubt wanted to hear some good news. The ruthlessness and dishonesty of fellow-citizens, rulers, and even judges were frightening (Mic. 7:2-3). The nation was so fractured that people could not even trust their closest friends or relatives (vv.5-6). The decent citizens hoped the prophet would tell them that a revival would soon bring about a great change in their land. But he had to tell them that God's judgment was at hand. The Assyrians would soon invade.

The outlook was gloomy but not hopeless. Micah saw beyond the judgment to a time when the nation would worship God and be blessed. Some may have called him a pessimist, but he was actually a realist. We too can be hopeful realists. With the eye of faith we can pierce the present darkness and see the eternal glory that awaits us.  — Herbert Vander Lugt