As for me ...

Today as I was reading Micah 7, I stopped at verse 7: "As for me, I look to the Lord for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me."

"As for me..." This phrase appears 54 times in the Bible (NIV), often as a comparison of a godly person's response to others in the world. The instance that immediately comes to my mind is Joshua 24:15: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (For deeper study, also see 1 Samuel 12:23; Ps. 55:23; Ps. 71:14; Ps. 73:28; Jer. 26:14; Micah 3:8. Even Pilate uttered these words at Jesus' trial: "As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him"[John 19:6].)

Here, in Micah 7, the prophet has shared his heartfelt sorrow for the decline of the society around him. He said that the godly people have all disappeared (v. 2); they've become skilled at doing evil (v. 3). With that in mind, Micah says, but as for me ... Micah, like other leaders after God's own heart, decided to be distinctive and distinguishable, even if others thought he was just weird.

So how do I respond? Others around me are doing ____, but as for me, I will _____. As for me and my family, we will _____. How would you fill in those blanks?

The world around us is getting increasingly evil. Even Christians (but are they "Christ followers"?) I know rationalize sin, dishonesty, and lack of integrity. But as for me, I will put God first and obey him. I will, by the Holy Spirit's power, live a life of integrity and authenticity. I will, by His power within me, love God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love my neighbor as myself.

Everyone who desires to be a leader after God's own heart must also complete this phrase, As for me, I will _____.

Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me (Psalm 51:10-12).