Women's Devotional: For Women, by Womenنموونە

Walk Humbly

Picture a courtroom. The judge enters the room, his long robe flowing. From your angle, you can’t see his face. But when he sits down at the bench, his identity is finally revealed. God is the judge. And his people are on trial.

The charges are as follows: They have turned away from God. They have forgotten his merciful help and deliverance from the past. They have taken his blessings for granted.

What can they do to find favor with God? Is there a sacrifice they can make? What penance is required? The people have tried to pacify him with offerings, large and costly. But Micah reminds us that God sees the heart. He knows these are not genuine, humble expressions of repentance. He sees that the sacrifices are an attempt to replace approaching God honestly.

Look over the list of requirements in today’s passage. Do you deal with people and situations in a fair and honest way? Do you extend mercy even when it hurts to do so? Thankfully, what God requires is not a catalog of regulations and sacrifices. Instead, he simply issues a call to live in relationship with him. Day by day.

Attempting to appease God with offerings doesn’t work. Like the Israelites, we are so often tempted to go through the motions and “pay God off.” Giving tithes, attending church regularly and teaching are all good things, but they cannot take the place of identifying so closely with God that we almost automatically do that which is closest to his heart: Act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. That’s what obedience really is. And obedience, which can sound like a dutiful word or a grudging business exchange, should be a joyful word. It becomes so when we stop calculating the cost of doing what God commands and instead respond with abandon to the One who loves us.

God sees the motives hidden behind our every word and action. He tells us to come humbly, as children. Stop hedging. Stop making excuses. Just listen and follow. Let him show you who he really is. Above all, love him. Simply love him most of all.

Reflection

• What are some ways you have tried to sacrifice to God without having an obedient heart?
• In what concrete way can you extend justice and mercy today?
• What changes do you need to make so that you fulfill the call to walk humbly with God?