The Cry of PEACE

Micah 3:5-12 (Amplified Bible)

5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

For over a month, God has been bringing me back to the Scripture. Though considered a “Minor Prophet”, Micah had a great word of judgment in his mouth. He preached an unpopular message then, just as it is now – requiring holiness and preaching judgment as a consequence of ungodliness. Just as Micah witnessed political, social and religious upheaval in his day, we are seeing the exact same thing in this season. More strikingly, God has the same word for His people in this hour.

In Micah’s time, the prophets and preachers of Israel began to displease God because of the false message of peace that was preached. During Micah’s tenure as a prophet, the people of God were turning to false teachings and doctrines. The reign of Ahaz brought wars and economic strain that caused the people to suffer greatly. So, those who were gifted and called to preach God’s messages created their own doctrines and words of prophesy to keep the people encouraged for their own gain and comfort.

In verse 5, God told the prophets that they were responsible for the sins of the people. The word of the Lord is just the same today. Many leaders and prophets in the church are responsible for the sin and unrighteousness of God’s people. Why? Because PEACE has been pronounced when God is calling for judgment.

How many times have you really heard a word of correction from the “prophets” of God? In this season, we’d rather prophecy about houses, cars and prosperity. Yet, the people are not instructed to live holy before God. The prophets are not feeding the people the Word of God. Instead, they are feeding their flesh with false hope and erroneous teachings.

6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.

God began to show me that many prophets have now become diviners. The transition has taken place because many have refused to declare the word of the Lord. For them, popularity, money and fame were more important than God’s will being done in the earth. Now, they speak when God has not commanded them to speak.

Many in the church are wondering why they no longer hear God’s voice. They wonder why the dreams and visions have ceased. Why are they praying, but suddenly not able to hear God’s response? Just as He was in the days of Micah, God is not pleased with those who have deceived His people. God’s presence has left many people and places, yet the deceived don’t even notice.

Hundreds of thousands of churches across America claim every week that they’ve experience a “visitation from the Father.” Yet, souls are not being changed. People are making money. Christians everywhere are encouraged at the thought of financial increase and prosperity or the hope for a mate, yet godliness with content, which leads to great gain, has been abandoned by many.

God is looking for representation of HIMSELF in the earth. Who shall be holy, as He is holy? Have we forgotten the command to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God? The promise is that all other things will be added. Yet, in general, the church is seeking the THINGS first, and assuming the Kingdom of God will follow. Unfortunately then, many leaders are failing to re-establish God’s order and teach holiness. If we would only seek to please the Father, surely He will take of those who are His own.

8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.

God is raising a generation of leaders, including prophets, who are TRULY full of God’s power and operate in His spirit. These voices are those that expose the transgression of the Church. These are those that pronounce God’s judgment and His will in the earth. This is certainly a small and elect group. After all, how many are willing to risk popularity, a large following and a generous income for the Word of God? How many are willing to have hundreds walk away because the truth is being taught? Who is willing to become a martyr for the true voice of the LORD to be heard?

9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.

Many say and believe the church is stronger now than it has ever been. Yet, the “church” has been built, for years, on blood and iniquity. The “success” of the church is built on a false sense of security, in many cases, and false doctrine. Congregations have been filled with deceived believers. Hundreds of thousands of “Christians” are on their way to hell, yet are considered part of the successful movement simply because of growth in numbers. We have applauded quantity, but not quality.

11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Just as Micah preached and prophesied, too many in the Body have been hired by the “church” rather than called of God. The interest, in many cases, is to please men rather than the Father. The sad part is that so many of us feel untouchable. We have become complacent and believe that we cannot be touched. In fact, when God does reveal the truth to His people, many are told by the leaders that they are out of order. So many feel that they own the truth. There is so much animosity when separation comes because we have lost focus on the Body of Christ, and concentrate only on our particular congregations. Where is the concern for the Body of Christ at large?

12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

While not a popular message, Micah’s warning still applies today, as much if not more than it did in his day. Judgment is coming and is upon God’s house. It must first begin at the house of God. The church is making God look bad, and He is tired of those who refuse to cry aloud and spare not! What message are you carrying? Is it a comfortable message from your heart, or a true message from the Father?

Selah.