What Then, Is Good?
Good Morning Friends,
“Act Justly, Love Kindness, and Walk Humbly,” is a great slogan even if people do not understand its context.
But it is even better and perhaps a little less misguided to know these words were spoken through Micah as a caution to the people, imploring them to turn away from their sins and to then return to the Lord. Friends, it is important to note that the words of the prophet though eloquent were desperate and ultimately went unheeded
and thus proved to give voice to the Lord’s burning anger toward Israel because of their sinful ways. So, much of this tone is lost in translation. The reality is that it is a question that does not so much require our verbal response as a collective action from our guts. What Then, Is Good?
Scripture: “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?
Micah 6:6-8 (NRSV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.
1 Peter 4:12-16 (NRSV)
Message: Historically, Micah 6:8 has served as one of the most celebrated verses within scripture.
Combined with the passage of Peter they engage us in a discussion about how we are to handle our position of power and our position of freedom so that we might be a witness to Christ in our life, so we might make a commitment to serve God.
Unfortunately, our privileged Christian reading of scripture might allow us to envision ourselves as the biblical protagonist despite how much more our lives and lifestyles resemble the scriptural antagonist.
We contextualize ourselves as the prophets delivering the words of the Lord as opposed to the people rebuked by the Lord’s prophet due to covenantal unfaithfulness to both God and neighbor. If we allow the scripture to speak prophetically to us the result might just be that God would begin
to use us in acts of forgiveness, redemption, healing, compassion and renewal. Peter, much like Micah, asks the reader to learn to think more like God, to love each other as if your life depended upon it. Peter asks us to share God’s words, love with a love reflecting the life of Jesus in us. We are to be cheerful and generous. We are asked to share our God given gifts in a way so that God gets the credit. These words of wisdom are for those on the front lines, in the thick of the fight… those living in the persecution that Christ experienced. He tells them that God is on the job with them, they are being refined… glory is around the corner, be glad you are in the difficulty. Those who claim to be believers today often acquiesce to societal injustice. We can act apathetically because we know how radically different our lives would look if we were to intentionally step outside of our comfort zones into the faithfulness to which scripture calls us. Within a society that is predicated upon comfort and the avoidance of suffering at all cost, we must cultivate communities of a culture willing and able to bear each other’s crosses. This is the basis of Micah 6; the prophet was imploring the Israelites to understand that believers must be willing to live lives that are radically different from the rest of the world. So too the church today is to serve as God’s prophetic witness in the world. For those of us with free time, more money than we need, and with gifts that could be devoted to a cause, we need to serve and make no mistake about this, we will be judged on how we respond to the cry of those in need. So, if you find this difficult, trust the Holy Spirit. If you are suffering, remember God knows what He is doing. He has made you for a purpose, just plain people, no airs of superiority, just humble people to work for God’s glory.
Pray we remember what God has done for us personally. Pray divine guidance in manifested in the merciful and gracious events in our lives. Pray the Holy Spirit is showing up in tens of thousands of places and events in our lives. Pray the Holy Spirit is molding and shaping our ends for a Holy purpose. Pray our very soul is a blessing to the Lord. Pray our faith history is a testimony and witness that God makes our lives good. Pray our lives become as a living book of a creative fellowship with the divine. Pray we love God and one another with a passion that is eternal. Pray we love with a love reflecting the life of Jesus in us. Pray we realize that justice requires us to work together but that justice is not enough we must also do acts of mercy and kindness. Pray we realize that there is a better way than the ways of the world and our job is to live it and to tell others about it even if it is the last thing they want to hear.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 