Focus

Take a few minutes to push the “pause” button on whatever is going on around you and be still with God.

Read

Micah 6:1-8 (NRSV)

Hear what the LORD says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the LORD has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.

“O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the LORD.”

“With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, 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?

Reflect

It is a difficult time to hear words like these. I wonder if Micah had a crystal ball and saw all that was going to happen in the United States in the year 2017. Amid the most contentious election that I have ever known, the divide has grown larger. Many say it is a political divide between Conservative and Liberal. I would argue it is not so easily explained.

The history of the church shows that never has God’s church been united in all issues. From the beginning, Paul had to instruct the church in Corinth, the Protestants revolted for reform, and denominations split over social differences in this land. The battle was always about who was right, because we all want to be “right.”

But as people of faith, being “right” is not what God calls us to do. Micah’s words remind us that we are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. An Old Testament prophet gives us the perfect example.

You want to be RIGHT? Then follow the example of Jesus. Care for those less fortunate and in need of a voice. Treat others with respect and kindness rather than calling names and speaking hatefully. Walk as humbly as the Savior who loves you in spite of yourself. I just wonder—if we did this, would the world not begin to change?

Pray

Loving God, give us the courage to follow the example of your son. Strengthen us as we live each day, reminding us that we are never truly living for ourselves, but to the glory and honor of you, who gave us life. Help us to be instruments of change. Amen.

Go with God.