What does the Lord require of me?

READ: Micah 5-7; Proverbs 19; Revelation 9

SCRIPTURE:  Micah 6: He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

OBSERVATION: In India, people would offer different kinds of offerings—from milk to liquor, grains to gold, vegetables to animals (rarely even to the level of human sacrifice)—to appease a deity or to seek prosperity, according to the local traditions. Here, in a hypothetical conversation, Micah wants to know whether offerings or sacrifices could help him get God’s favor. He is ready even to offer his firstborn. But God said, “No” to all of these. Instead, God told him three commands that are applicable for all times. He asked them to do three simple things: “to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God.” In Amos 5:14-15, we see similar words. In Micah’s time, Israelites “hate good and love evil” (Micah 3:2). Micah 6:8 gives us a summary of what God expects from us.

Justice means giving people their due or rights. It is not retributive justice but restorative justice. Our sacrifices do not please God. He desires mercy, not our offerings. We should show love and mercy to others so that they also can taste God’s love. We need to be merciful because our God the Father is merciful (Luke 6:36). God wants us to be humble before him. Walter Kaiser explains, “To walk humbly is simply to live by faith, for faith is the antithesis of pride.” The bible says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Pet.5:5). God is against any form of human pride because it keeps something else in place of God. Faith keeps God at the center of life, but pride always focuses on oneself. Those who walk with God will not have pride.

Micah called his people to listen to God. Micah 6:8 is an invitation to listen to God. It is a call to act upon God’s word. Let us remember that we cannot do anything as the Lord expects us until we come to God in repentance to be with him. As Spurgeon says, “It was a spiritual worship that the Lord required; not externals, not outward gifts, but the heart.” Many Christians think that they can earn God’s favor by doing certain things for the Lord. But God sees our heart, not just what we do. He desires us to be truthful in the innermost being. God has made it clear about what he expects from us. We must obey and live accordingly.

APPLICATION: My God is Good all the time. His love and expectation for me never change. The Good God expects good things from me. His message is not an incomprehensible puzzle. It is clear and understandable for all. I must live in God’s standard for life to do justly, show mercy, and walk humbly. I cannot please God and earn his favors through my offerings. I must continue to live in a personal relationship with God and be willing to share his love and mercy with others as well.

 PRAYER:  Father God, thank you for the threefold message that challenges me to practice what I believe. Lord, give me your Spirit’s strength to fulfill your expectations. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

Day – 352

(Tamil version of this devotion is posted here)