"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
One question many people ask is, "What does the Lord want me to do?" While most people who ask this question are typically looking for some specific answer about some specific issue or decision — the answer God gives tends to be more comprehensive. The prophet Micah illustrates this better than anyone else. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" In other words — whatever you decide to do with your life, and wherever that decision may take you — be sure it contains these three things. #1 — DO JUSTLY. This means that we are to see that justice is done, when it is within our power to do so. Micah was a peasant prophet speaking up to the civil powers that ruled in Jerusalem. It is noteworthy that "the justice issue" is always raised from below, not from above. In other words, those in power never see a need to change anything—they like it the way it is. The Bible says, "The Lord does what is right and fair for all who are oppressed" (Psalm 03:6). As followers of Jesus, we will do the same. What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to see that justice is done in situations where you have a voice to speak, and power to exert. There may be some things that are in fact beyond your reach, things you truly can do nothing about. But for those things that are before you, and within the scope of your influence — there the Lord wants you to do what is just, right and fair. "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8, NKJV). Part 2 Yesterday we looked at what the prophet Micah said, and highlighted the first of three comprehensive directives which the Lord has set before each one of us. The first was to do justly. Today we will look at the second. #2 — LOVE MERCY. Solomon wrote, "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee" (Proverbs 3:3). Notice that mercy and truth must never be separated from one another. Truth without mercy is harsh; mercy without truth is irresponsible. Together they form the essence of godliness. Solomon went on to say that mercy and truth working together in our hearts and lives would bring us favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Justice calls for action against that which is wrong; mercy requires patience in dealing with those who have been wronged. Together they accomplish God's will in our sphere of influence. "God works powerfully," wrote John Newton, "but for the most part He works gently and gradually.” You and I cannot change the world, but we can do something about what goes on where we live. And if we'll see to that, the Lord will take care of the rest. After all, the light that shines the farthest, shines brightest at home. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Did you know that how you treat other people is a prayer you are praying, asking the Lord to treat you the same way? The one sure path you can walk is the Way of Mercy. What does the Lord want you to do? He wants you to be a person who does justice, and who loves mercy. Comments are closed.
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Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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