These words have been burning in my heart and mind for quite some time. Most recently I have been singing these words in an amazing anthem written by John Ness Beck called Offertory. I think the setting in which it is written compelled me to meditate on the words more than I ever have…to begin to fully understand the power and the meaning of this verse from Micah 6.

When Micah wrote this, it was at a time when Israel had been straying from the Lord (again) and this particular verse was to remind them of what it was to be a servant of God and how they/we are to conduct themselves.

I was recently challenged to memorize more scripture so that it might “live in me”. That made so much sense to have the word of God so saturated in our hearts and minds that it was a natural resource for our daily use.

This passage in Micah has inspired a few insights by virtue of them beginning to “live” in me…for however God choses to use them.

To “do justice”. So many things come to mind, but it occurs to me to be so basic in that we must be people of justice. Not just in the sense of judgement or standing up for things that we know to be right and pure, but also to “do justice” on the behalf of others. My mind goes immediately to “helping others to be justified” This in itself goes beyond the simple holding out your hand to help someone less fortunate. I think it speaks to their soul as well, to help them find the kind and even justice that comes from a loving and compassionate God. Of course justice demands the consequence of injustice, but that is another discussion altogether!

The second part of verse 8 says to “love mercy”. Initially I found myself thinking that it was easy to love mercy, but quickly realized that it is only easy to love mercy when it is bestowed on me! How selfish! The aspects of mercy talked about in this verse, I think, goes way beyond an acceptance of mercy to actually cherishing the mercies of God so much that we show mercy to others…and love doing so.

It is so easy for me to put blinders on when I should be showing mercy to those around me. This isn’t always an action or thing you do, but I am convinced that it is also an attitude which we must adopt to be aware of situations and people who need mercy. What people need more than food, shelter and clothing (though these are important) is the mercy of God on their souls. We must be beacons of light for His mercy.

“Walk Humbly with your God” is perhaps the easiest to understand of these three elements but maybe not so easy to do consistently. To walk with God in humility requires that we lose sight of ourselves and devote ourselves to God. Painful as it may sound, humility requires a certain brokenness…to be brought to a place where we must rely on God completely and earnestly to supply our needs. Not only is this important in regard to the way we approach or walk with God, but it also is a fundamental essential when doing justice and loving mercy! How much more will the mercy and justice be received if it is given in humility!

My hope is that God will continue to reveal His truths to me through His word and through consistent prayer. May I be a man who “does justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly with the Lord God.

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 NIV