God’s Requirements

“He has shown you, O people, 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

How many times in your life have you prayed, “Lord, what is the next right step?”  I know it has been a constant mantra in mine.  My favorite verse in the Bible comes from Micah 6:8.  I think part of why I love this verse so much is that it gives the assurance that God shows us the next right step… what the Lord requires of us.

“To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” these are God’s requirements.  In whatever decision we face, we can ask the question, “Does this lead me in acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God?”  A simple way to think of it is to ask the question, “Does this bring life, hope, and love to the world?”

God’s requirements are often contrary to what the world tempts us to pursue.  In Leviticus 19:1-2 the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”  “Holy” means set apart.  Be different, be set apart, don’t be just like the world around you.

As we emerge from Covid protocols and isolation, as the Session of the church moves forward in new directions, as the entire congregation makes decisions at our congregational meeting this Sunday, may we be guided by the Holy Spirit in the next right step.  Let’s remind one another what God has shown us also to what is required… to act justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with God.

God of grace and mercy, You create a new order for our lives: service before success, faith before knowledge, partnership over independence,
The cross over the crown.
Forgive us when we fall into the patterns of this world, rejecting your call through our action or inaction.  Forgive us, God, and move us to see the world through the lens of your great love.  Forgive us, God, and grant us peace.

Assurance of Pardon
God forgives us of our sins,
Not because we are righteous, but because God is good.
God calls us to try again,
Not because we are strong, but because God will help us.
God calls us as disciples,
Not because we are worthy, but because we are loved.
God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom,
and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Through the love of God in Christ Jesus, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God! Amen.