What Is Good

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

-- Micah 6:8

In Chapter 6, Micah is trying to present God's case against the people of Israel. He begins, almost sounding like a frustrated parent: "Just what have I done to you? Why won't you listen to me?" Can't you just feel the Lord's anguish? You likely may have heard the same words from your mother or father, and perhaps have expressed them to your own child. To think that even God could become so exasperated gives us a better image of the level of exasperation Micah is trying to paint when dealing with God's chosen people. He is saying, "What has God done to you that you can ignore Him like this?". And he is reaching back through time to ask us the very question today.

But not only does he ask the question, he provides an answer. Like a parent might say, "I'm the one who clothes you and feeds you and keeps a roof over your head.", Micah reminds the people that God delivered them from slavery and led them out of the land of Egypt, of all the good the Lord has done for them.

And then he ponders the question of how to thank God for all this, how should the people come before God to show their appreciation. Should they bow down before Him? Should they bring burnt offerings or year-old calves? Would the Lord be pleased with ten thousand rams or ten thousand rivers of oil? Would our firstborn children, the fruit of our own bodies, be sufficient to offset our transgressions, our sins? Just what does God want, what does He deem good in His sight?

And then Micah tells us. All God requires is that we act justly, that we love mercy, and that we walk humbly with God.

There are two aspects to this simple request that I would like to examine more closely. First, we are instructed to walk humbly with God. We are not to parade before His throne showing off our spiritual finery. We are not even to come to Him on bowed knee. Both of those actions, on the surface, appear to be something you would do once, or maybe every now and then. Like a visit you would make, just dropping in to see God. No, we are to walk humbly with God. We are to be with Him every moment we live, with every breath we take. When you walk along with someone you are intent on their company. You talk together as you walk. You share with them the things you see around you and what is going on with your life. This is what God wants. He desires that you walk with Him, that you be intent upon Him, and that you share with Him every little detail of your life. And He wants you to be humble in your walk, not prideful or boastful of all the wonderful deeds you do. He wants you to help others to the best of your ability and capability, for your good as well as theirs; not so that others can think how great you are but that you can take comfort in knowing you can help make a difference. Be humble, but more importantly, be constantly and ever with God as you walk through this life.

The second aspect I would like to ponder comes especially to mind with the upcoming Advent and Christmas season. Micah, being an Old Testament prophet, spoke these words before the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Shortly after the birth of Jesus, wise men appeared from the east, following a star and a promise, and laid wonderful gifts before the heavenly baby. While many believe this set the precedent for gift giving at Christmas, it also served as making an offering to God, as He appeared in the flesh. Micah is telling us that while sharing gifts is indeed a wonderful thing, God does not require it. God would rather see that we treat each other with true justice, mercy, and love. And isn't this also exactly what Jesus asked? Isn't this the foundation for His new covenant with us, that we love one another even as we love ourselves, even as we love our God? For if we do so, we will also act justly and show mercy at all times.

As you wrap your bright gifts this holiday season, please remember to add justice and mercy to your list of gifts to give, and all of God's children as a recipient. Be humble and be gracious as you walk through life with God ever at your side. By this you will give to God what is good. Amen.