Micah 7:8-10. In chapter 7, Micah is expressing his sorrow that all of Israel seems to have turned to evil and there are no upright men left. Even family members have turned on him. But, he says, he will turn to the Lord and wait for him to answer. In verses 8 - 10, Micah cautions his enemies, the people of Israel who have gone astray, including his family, not to gloat over him. He may be fallen, but he will rise when the Lord answers him. Micah acknowledges that his suffering now is something he must bear, because he has sinned against the Lord, but he also knows, with great certainty, that the Lord will deliver him and bring him forth into the light. When this happens, and it will, those who said "Where is the Lord your God?" will be ashamed, and Micah will gloat over them, as they are trodden down into the mire of the streets.

This is a familiar theme - trust in the Lord and keep doing his will, even when all around you have turned from him, even when they mock you for your faith. God will answer you and save you, but you must be patient and bear your indignation while you wait for him. I am waiting now, we all are waiting now. I am trying to stay close to the Lord, as best I can - I am receiving the sacraments as frequently as possible (especially confession, because I know that I, too, have sinned against the Lord, and continue to do so in this time of strife!). I am praying; I am "bearing my indignation;" I am offering up my suffering; I am trying to answer my persecutors not in kind, but with kindness; I am trusting. But it is hard! I am having a very, very hard time of this. The waiting is the hardest part!

I know many people feel the same way. We see the evil all around us, we see our family members being sucked into the pain of it, and we are unable to do anything about it. While attempting to reach out to rebuild a broken relationship, I have had someone say to me "Why don't you just ask God?" and then block me and continue to refuse to talk to me.

Things just seem to be getting worse and worse, and the evil seems to be getting stronger and stronger. But, I know that I shall "behold his deliverance." We have beheld it! We have Jesus - our deliverance has come, and has given his life for us. Our deliverance has been achieved, we always must remember that. Even if the suffering and the evil last for the rest of my life, I am delivered, I am saved.

In the Novena of Surrender, Day 4, Jesus says to us "You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry, Close your eyes and say to me with faith: Thy will be done, You take care of it. I say to you that I will take care of it." This is my hope and my consolation. He will take care of all of us, I know. And, for the record, I do not want to gloat over the evil doers as Micah does. I want us all to have the same hope and consolation in Jesus! (Maybe that is why it is taking so long, because so does God!;)