Today’s reading is Micah 6.
In the beginning of Micah 6, the prophet is urging the people to remember all that God has done for them. The miracles, the deliverance, and the people he sent to lead them. He tells them to “remember their journey” (6:5). After sitting down to realize and remember all that He has done…..then what? How do we respond to all the ways He has cared for us? The Israelites had in mind to offer their most prized possessions, even to the extreme of their first born. But Micah goes on to tell them what is required of them. It is not the sacrifice of things they own but rather something much more eternal – their hearts.
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. (NIV)
Act Justly – Living with a sense of right and wrong – as defined by the Bible.
Love Mercy – Contains the Hebrew word “Hesed” which means “loyal love” or “loving kindness”. Mercy – compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender. (Dictionary.com)
Walk Humbly – The heart’s attitude toward God. Do you really know and understand WHO the God is that you worship? Do you live in fear of the Lord and his mighty power? Are you truly humbled by his justice and mercy shown to you on a daily basis?
God is most concerned about what is in our hearts. When the Spirit is alive in us we display the fruit that only comes from God. Galations 5:22-24 “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” He alone gives us the ability to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
“The response of a Godly heart is outward (do justice), inward (love mercy), and upward (walk humbly). Gotquestions.org
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”. NIV
Shelly