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
It seemed that each time the Israelites found themselves in a bad spot, they immediately blamed God. In Micah 6, the Lord asked them to state their complaints.
Listen to what the Lord is saying: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaints. Micah 6:1
God could have called the entire universe to take the witness stand. However, what He did for His chosen people, He did in the presence of the mountains and the hills.
And since God had the mountains on the “witness stand,” He decided to level His complaint against His accusers.
And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! He has a case against his people. He will bring charges against Israel. Micah 6:2
The Lord asked two questions, which He directed to His people, the Israelites. After asking them, He demanded an answer.
O my people, what have I done to you? What have I done to make you tired of me? Answer me! Micah 6:3
- Before they could answer Him, He listed some things He had done for them.
- For I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from slavery.
- I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you.
- Don’t you remember, my people, how King Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed?
- And how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead?
- Remember your journey from Acacia Grove to Gilgal. When I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness. Micah 6:4-5
The Faithfulness of God
Did you take notice of what the Lord said? He did everything He could to teach them about His faithfulness. In other words, He taught them all about Himself.
The more we know about the Lord and His faithfulness, our relationship with Him will grow. And the better we know Him, the less we will try to do what the Israelites tried.
Instead of building a relationship with their Lord, they thought they could win Him with their offerings. I guess they forgot that He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings? Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? And should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Micah 6:6-7
And then note how they thought they could make an atonement for their sins. They wanted to make a sacrifice that only God could make for them.
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? Micah 6:7
The Lord doesn’t want us to sacrifice our children, He requires us to dedicate them back to Him. God has entrusted parents with the responsibility to raise their kids to love and serve Him.
God gave us our children as gifts. Make sure you appreciate them. The Apostle Paul clearly stated the sacrifice the Lord requires from us in the 12th chapter of Romans.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1
Do What is Good
As we continue in Micah, let’s examine our verse for today. That verse says, “O people, the Lord has told you what is good.” Let’s get some clarification on the word “good.”
When the Bible applies the word “good” to a person or being, it points us to God. Out of the many references to them found in the Bible, I have listed a few below.
- The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. Nahum 1:7
- Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1
- Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. Mark 10:18
The Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God. It also refers to things that we call good deeds. Some would try to differentiate worldly good from biblically good.
Good deeds could range from picking up trash along a road to rushing an injured person to the hospital. We could involve ourselves in thousands and thousands of “good deeds.”
Wow! How do we choose what to do? Are we supposed to draw a line between some good deeds and others? No. The Bible tells us that it will prepare and equip us to do every good work.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Three Things the Lord Requires from Us
Our verse for today also tells us what the Lord requires of us in three short sentences. First, it says, “Do what is right.”
This focuses on our actions, which simply means doing what is right in God’s sight. Paul told Timothy he looked forward to getting a crown for his righteousness.
And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. 2 Timothy 4:8
Micah also reported the second thing our Lord requires of us. He said, “To love mercy.” This deals with how we treat others. In fact, we reap mercy when we sow mercy.
There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. James 2:13
Finally, in this verse, we find the third thing the Lord requires from us. He said, “To walk humbly with your God.” This deals with maintaining a right relationship with God.
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:6,10
Do you understand what the Lord requires from you? To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Now, take a moment to commit yourself to His requirements.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Christian Perspectives
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