And what does the LORD require of you but to Do Justly, to Love Mercy, and to Walk Humbly with your God? MICAH 6:8
How devastating that we have lost our ability to function in society the way God originally intended! After all He left us here to be a light to the world in which we live. It seems, since the Pandemic, we’ve seen nothing but utter ugliness in the News, Social Media and in the interaction of one another. It reflects a coarsening of culture. Its a sign of how we are now relating to one another, speaking to each other, and treating others in our lives. Let’s face it, social standards are declining.
In Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy. and to walk humbly with your God?” Notice what Micah didn’t say. He didn’t say God had told us what is good. Yes, God does tell us that again and again; but Micah used the word “shown.” By His own actions, God has set standards for our lives, behavior, words. and attitudes. We aren’t simply to do as He says, but as He has done for us. He is Just, Merciful, and, yes Humble–humble enough to descend from heaven and live a pure life among us leading to a sacrificial death. As the Lord has shown us, so we should do..and this is the essence of biblical love. In other words there should be some clear differences in the way we raise our children. Our marriages should testify to the Love of Christ. Those outside the body of Christ should feel strong attraction to the unity and love they see among believers. Let’s look at these three qualifiers of Micah 6:8. They represent God’s great expectations of us. They are His values in a nearly valueless world.
So how then are we to live?
Act Justly: What does it mean to act justly? The English words just and justice come from the late fourteenth century and mean “morally upright, righteous in the eyes of God.” From there, the word evolved to mean what is equitable, fair, fitting, proper, and right. Act Justly would be understood by Micah’s audience as living with a sense of right and wrong. (Micah 2:1-2; 3:1-3; 6:11)
Love Mercy: Contains the Hebrew word hesed, which means “loyal love” or loving-kindness.” Along with Justice, we are to show mercy. Both justice and mercy are foundational to God’s character (Psalm 89:14). God expects His children to show love toward Him and to others.
Walk Humbly: That’s mercy, and humility! Walking Humbly with God is letting Him teach us what is Good. Jesus brought it together when He said “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37).. That my friend communicates God’s expectation and desire for us. To treat each other fairly, with kindness, with justice and mercy.
It’s not enough to be humble. We must also walk with God. And it’s not enough to walk with God; we must do it humbly. Reflect on those ideas together, put the entire verse of (Micah 6:8) together-and you have a four-letter word you’re not ashamed of-LOVE. We should be living up to God’s standards for us, not the standards if today’s culture. Where man expects little, God expects much. Keep in mind what He expects, He also enables us to do through our living, growing relationship with Jesus.
Be Encouraged Today !
Our Heavenly Father has provided us the great expectation: To do Justly, to be Merciful, and to Walk Humbly with our Lord and Savior! Let’s do it.
