Sunday, December 18
Simple, not easy
Scripture: Micah 5-7, John 8
Micah 6:8 Mankind, he has told each of you what is good
and what it is the Lord requires of you:
to act justly,
to love faithfulness,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Observation
I love simplifying complex things and this verse does that. Micah summarizes God’s requirements in three statements.
Act justly. Do the right thing.
Love faithfulness. Love kindness, mercy. Show faithful love.
Walk humbly with your God.
Simple, but not easy. Simplifying may clarify things, helping us know what to do. But that doesn’t make it easy.
This pairing of love and truth, mercy and justice runs through Scripture. We see it in today’s reading in John 8. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14, 17).
Paul told us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
Application
Many difficult decisions would become clear if we ran them through this grid. Is it right, just? Is it kind, merciful, loving? Am I humbly following the Lord?
My brother-in-law Jared taught me to use this triad when making decisions. It starts with walking humbly with God. My pride and independence get me in more trouble than anything else.
Once again, I’m challenged to be more curious, less judgmental. Ask more questions. Do the right thing, but always in love, wanting what is best for others. Walk humbly with God. Simple, not easy.
Prayer: I love you Jesus. This is so like You. You reduced all the Law and Prophets to loving God and people. It’s simple…but it’s never easy. So help me today to do what is right, to love mercy, and walk humbly with You, my God.