SCRIPTURE:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
OBSERVATION:
Growing up, I used to think that the Bible was a divine rule book. In the Bible were all these things I needed to do, and that if I didn’t do them, I would be punished. But as Micah shares with us, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
As Micah writes, all the Lord requires of us is to “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly. It's as easy as 1-2-3.
Action 1: Act justly.
Isaiah 1:17 NIV –– “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
To “act justly” means to live a life of morality, virtue, and character. God calls us to be a people of integrity in our relationships, in our actions, and in every part of our lives. God is a just God, and just like our Father, we should be too.
Action 2: Love mercy.
Luke 6:36 NIV
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
To “love mercy” means to be joyful in extending compassion, forgiveness, and kindness––especially when it’s undeserved. Why? Because that is how God loves us. In His love, God has compassionately extended great mercy and grace to me and you. And it’s not just the act of “showing” mercy––we are to “love” doing it.
Action 3: Walk humbly.
James 4:10 NIV
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
To “walk humbly” means to live a life of service, empathy, and honoring God and others above yourself. As Jesus humbly came to the Earth to walk with man and serve others, we are called to walk humbly with our brothers and sisters, serving them in love.
While these three actions matter, the most important part of that verse is not any of these actions. It’s not action 1, requirement 2, or requirement 3––it’s what comes after that. It’s the “how”––that you do life “with your God”–– that matters most. With. Your. God.
1. WITH
We must do these things “with” God. For it’s possible to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly without Him––you just won’t get the same results. Doing these actions without God results in pride, self-righteousness, and even bitterness. Doing these things with God results in humility, godliness, and goodness. Do these things “with” God.
2. YOUR
Likewise, He must be “your” God. He can’t be your parents’ God. He can’t be your friend’s God. He can’t be your children’s God. He must be “your” God. The relationship must be personal. God wants to be your God––to do life with you, to empower you, and to love you. Allow Him to be “your” God.
3. GOD
Lastly, you must declare Him as “God.” Not just “Friend.” Not just “Savior.” But also, “God.” You must choose Him to be Your Lord and Savior, surrendering your life to Him and allowing Him to rule and reign in your life. You must allow Him to lead you, to guide you, and to be your King. Love Him, trust Him, and choose Him as your “God.”
APPLICATION:
Why should you do what God requires of you? Because the Bible isn’t a rule book––it’s a love story. And who is the one God is pursuing in this love story? You.
God is not a demanding, power-hungry, controlling dictator. He does not require much of you. He simply asks you to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly. And the best part about it? He wants you to do it “with” Him. God doesn’t ask you to do these things alone. He doesn’t expect you to do it on your own strength. He wants to do it with you.
Today, respond to God’s great love for you by doing what He requires of you in loving obedience. Act justly––live a life of virtue, character, and ethics in things both seen and unseen. Love mercy––joyfully extend mercy, grace, and compassion as God has so done with you. And walk humbly with your God––for He humbly walks with you.
PRAYER:
God,
Thank You for loving me and for being with me. May I never take for granted the immeasurable value of that love, and may I never lose the wonder of your presence. Thank You for walking with me. Today, and every day after that, I choose to walk with You. I will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You, for I love You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
