do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly.

Lea June 10, 2023

Devotional Message of today's verse from YouVersion.

•VERSE OF THE DAY

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/mic.6.8.NLT

•DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE;

What does God want?

“What is God’s will for my life?”
“What is my purpose and calling?”
“What can I do to please God?”

In the New Testament, Jesus answers those questions by telling His followers to love God and love people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah—empowered by the Holy Spirit—summarized God’s will for Israel by saying:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

These words were penned during a time when God’s people were trying to please Him with sacrifices, offerings, and going through religious motions while living lives of deception, violence, and pride. But as the prophet Hosea writes,

“I [God] desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God is after our heart motives, not outward religious activity or begrudging obedience.

Let’s break down what God desires of us:

Do justice.

Doing justice requires faith and actions working together: helping the hurting, defending the weak, dealing fairly with the people we encounter, and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. In other words, to do justice, we must love others as we love ourselves.

Love kindness.

The mercy of God is extreme kindness. And because he has shown us undeserved kindness, we can show undeserved kindness to others. God desires these things more than endless “I’m sorry” speeches. God is kind to the grateful and the wicked (Luke 6:35), so we should be, too.

Walk humbly.

Be teachable. Be moldable. Remember: You’re not God. You have limitations. It will help if you add a Creator and Savior. You’re only here because God spoke you into existence. So confidently embrace who you are and who you are, not because it’s when we live fully surrendered to God that He does incredible things through us.

Seeking justice, loving-kindness, and walking humbly—that is what God wants from us. So in a world saturated with injustice, hatred, and arrogance, let’s be people marked by these three things.

Peace be with you; thank you for stopping by, take care, and God bless!

Appreciate every day;