The Prodigal's ReturnSample

Requirements

Kim Harmon

[Micah 6:8 NASB] He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8 is my favorite verse. I have a metal sign in my home that reads, “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. ”The verse says there are three things that God requires. Any one of these can be challenging given the circumstances. When I am wronged, it is hard to act justly. When I am wronged, it is difficult to love mercy. On any given day, it may be hard to walk humbly, especially when I am wronged and want to boast of my being right or better than the person who wronged me. In the same place, when I am the offender, I want others to follow God’s guidance in Micah 6:8.

These three things are great guidance to consider, some guardrails for the road of life. No one appreciates someone not acting justly. It is not easy to do the right thing. Sometimes, it is even difficult to know what is the right thing to do. When we are in trusting relationships, it is easy to give and receive mercy. When trust is questionable, mercy is scarce.

Have you ever answered a call when you wished you had not? I received one of those calls years ago that caused me to watch my words. At that moment, it was hard to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly. Following God with Micah 6:8 in mind is never easy. If it were, He would not have needed to remind us.

We can only be responsible for our own actions. Even when it is challenging, it is better to follow God’s words, “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”Take a moment to write these three things down so they are easier to commit to memory. Trust me, you will have a time when they will come in handy as a reminder.

God, help us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly, especially when life is hard. Help us to love others as You love. Amen.