photo: Martha G. Brady
photo: Martha G. Brady
Yesterday was the last in our series on Micah, one of the minor prophets. It had some hard things to say to us, but it also had some very encouraging things to say as well!
All I ask of you is to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with GOD. I’m not looking for dramatic expressions of religious fervor! They mean nothing to me. –GOD
Of course, the classic passage in Micah is this one, I just added in verse 7 for the context. How often do we want to do something dramatic, which in that day would have been one of those sacrifices mentioned!
But what does He require? Justice, loving kindness, walking humbly with GOD! They are about as opposite as we can get of the dramatic wouldn’t you say? Basically, going about our daily lives, living out the gospel we profess to believe. That shows we actually believe it!
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 man, 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 6:7-8 ESV
As the message of Micah was presented over the past few Sundays, there were plenty of opportunities to see where we need to change, where we fall short. But there was also a clear view into who GOD is! Yesterday, it came through very clearly!
I already know you can’t measure up to my commands. I knew it when I made the 10 Commandments. I know it now when I talk about the everyday walking humbly with me. That’s why I sent Jesus. He was able to obey every command fully and completely. You need to understand something about me/us. I love you with a steadfast love you will never understand or be able to give. It is the covenant love I had for my people way back when I started promising the coming of my Son and setting aside a special people to use to bring Him to this world.
After verse after verse laid out the case against us regarding our failure to measure up to the standard He had set, these two verses shined brightly, showing us who GOD is and how much He is waiting to forgive us and show us mercy. He forgives completely and thoroughly!
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because he delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea.Micah 7:18-19 ESV
How often do we think of GOD sitting up in heaven waiting for us to mess up? Well, it isn’t true is it? We can tell from the fact His Son came to die for us. of course. But this underlines the fact that He wants to forgive, delights in steadfast love and has compassion on us! He will tread our iniquities underfoot and throw our sins into the depths of the sea! A possible reference to His complete work at the cross? Hmmm.
And into the file goes another snapshot of GOD…from His Word!
Great reminder Martha. Very nicely written and the picture is beautiful!
Patty💕
thanks patty:) glad you stopped by. the photo was taken in Christy’s backyard one morning. beautiful isn’t it?