What the Lord Requires

Every society experiences injustice. Corruption is always on the brink of consuming humanity. Israel was not immune to the struggles of a fallen humanity. Injustice had become a way of life. Merchants were using false weights, widows and orphans were being taken advantage of, parents were sacrificing their children to false gods. Darkness was everywhere.

The Lord rose up and challenged his people. His words in Micah 6:1-5, call the people to remember is loving faithfulness. They call them to turn from their rebellion, and to see the foolishness of their ways. Micah, the prophet, is allowed to utter the question in hearts of his listeners: "What does God require?" (see Micah 6:6-7).

The context suggests that Micah's audience felt God demanded to much. As they rattle off items they think will appease him, the offerings grow in size and magnitude. Will there ever be enough? Their quest to appease God doesn't appear to be sincere. It is more of a pay for play theology. They are suggesting that God name the price it would take to overlook their sin.

Again, the prophet speaks, ""He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

If we want to do what God requires, we must: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. That leads me to three questions:

1. What does it mean to act justly? It means to live righteously, and to live righteously we must live by faith. To act justly means that we are walking in obedience to the Lord. It is to value life. It is to defend the weak. It is to let your "yes," mean yes, and your "no," mean no.

2. What does it mean to love mercy? It means that we do more than show mercy. We cultivate it. We rejoice in its display.

3. What does it mean to walk humbly with God? It means we realize that God is God and we are not. It means our confidence is not in our abilities, but in God's grace. It means we stop seeking our own kingdom, and instead pursue his.

If we want to do what God requires, we will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God? Are you willing to do what the Lord requires?