Micah 6:8 (NIV): And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
I really want to do the right thing. I actually think most people do. Acting “justly” isn’t that controversial. Micah’s first word probably resonated with his hearers.
Loving “mercy”? Well, I certainly want others to be merciful toward me! When I mess up, I didn’t mean to, did I? People should give me the benefit of the doubt. I guess what is harder is being merciful toward others. That is much harder. I tend to judge. I tend to want others to experience the consequences of their actions. It is only through my own experience of God’s mercy that I can really be merciful toward others. Still, I think when confronted, most people probably “love mercy” because they want mercy.
Micah’s last word of what the LORD requires is a bit more challenging, at least from my perspective.
Walking humbly? With God? It seems that the world I live in really isn’t about being humble. It seems like I am encouraged to focus on ME. I am bombarded with questions that help me to do that: “How do I feel?” “How do I identify?” “What do I want?” The world is lined up to encourage me to do anything but walk humbly.
Then Micah throws in the “with your God” part. That is the part that separates Micah’s words from the opposing worldview that is full of lies. God is truth. That means that as I walk humbly… with God, that I am constantly aware of my own limitations, that I am constantly aware that God is in control. I am constantly seeking God and His truth.
Why on earth should I do that when the world is encouraging me to actually do the opposite? That is an easy answer, at least for me. Being aligned with God means that I am forgiven by trusting God and what Jesus did on the cross. As a result, I am now free to walk how God wants me to walk.
Prayer: Lord God, I humbly come before You. I seek You. I confess that You are truth. Today, and every day, I commit to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with You.
