Micah 6:8
“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 (NIV)
I’m a simple person and this seems like a simple verse. After all what could be clearer: act justly; love mercy; walk humbly with God?
Then I started questioning myself – “Oh no it couldn’t be that easy, I’m just missing something.” So I Googled it. If you’ve read my previous devotions, you know how much I love “the” Google.
What I found was very interesting – Micah was a prophet about 700 years before Christ. Micah also prophesied Jesus Christ’s birthplace of Bethlehem.
Interesting yes, but it doesn’t add additional context to this verse. The more I thought about it, the more I realized, it really is that simple.
Act justly – be fair to everyone, not just your family or friends or people who look or act like you, but every human being. My fall back for this is generally asking myself – would I want my mom or son to be treated this way? Be talked about this way? If I answer no, then it’s not just behavior.
Love mercy – show mercy to others as God shows us mercy. Not just to your family or friends or people who look or act like you, but everyone. I grew up with imagery of a vengeful God, so a merciful God is something I need to remind myself of. God shows me mercy by forgiving my mistakes, by loving me even when I don’t feel lovable. I need to try to show the same mercy to others.
Walk humbly with God – Acknowledge you don’t know all the answers and when you’re unsure about something (your next action, your reaction, someone else’s words or actions), check in with God. Checking in with God is as simple as praying or reading your Bible. Personally, I pay particular attention to the New Testament, especially the words and actions of Jesus. And whenever I’m uncertain, I ask myself: What Would Jesus Do?
That answer is also simple: Jesus would love.
Share love. Show love. Be Love.
Questions for Reflection:
- Where am I acting justly? Where am I not?
- Where am I showing mercy? Where am I not?
- How do I walk humbly with God? Where am I mis-stepping?
Prayer:
Oh Lord, thank you for the gift of free will. Help me choose to act justly, show mercy and walk humbly with you every day and help me show, share and be the love of Jesus. Amen.
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