GOD'S REQUIREMENTS

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?  (Micah 6:8 NKJV)

Micah was a man of the people, and a true patriot. In his day, the political outlook was extremely dark, and the prophet felt that only one thing could save his country, and that was a deep and widespread revival of religion. The people ask whether Jehovah desired the sacrifice of animals, or little children, who were sacrificed by the heathen people in order to rid their consciences from sin, the answer came. God required something more spiritual and searching: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good, etc."

Let’s make this threefold message our own. To do justly, giving not a fraction less than can be rightly claimed from us. Every one of us must acknowledge the righteous claims of our family, and of our neighbors, and we must adjust these claims, giving each his due.

Let’s love mercy. There are some who have perhaps forfeited all claims on our mercy, the prisoner, the fallen, the helpless, our enemies. We must help all these not grudgingly, but cheerfully and willingly. Don’t try to love mercy till you begin to show it. Dare to step out into a life of unselfish beneficence, and as you do so, you will come to love it. James insists that pure religion consists in visiting the widow and fatherless in their affliction and in keeping oneself unspotted from the world.

Let’s also walk humbly with God, not lagging behind, nor running before, but walking with Him, hand in hand. All down the ages, from Enoch onward, there have been those who walked with God in unstained robes. It is not in sacrifices, or rites, or church going, or giving of money, though these will follow afterwards, but in holy and humble living, so that the heart of true religion is realized.

Is that all? No! What is to be done for those who have tried and failed, who are conscious of guilt and sin? In the closing verses of this book is the answer. There we learn that God will not only forgive, but will subdue our iniquities. He will turn again and have compassion upon us, and cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. He delights in mercy! Who is a God like unto You?

PRAYER

Lord, may Your all powerful grace make me as perfect as You have commanded me to be. In Christ’s name I pray, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #92:
My eternal Word is anchored in the heavens.

Psalm 119:89 (WEB)
Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.