June 27: Micah's Third Discourse

Today's passage continues Micah's prophesies. Among discussion of Judah's waywardness, Micah offers two snippets of direction and hope for the people:


1. God desires the heart, not the outward signs.
"With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God." (6:6-8)
　
Pastor Scott has often asked us to consider our "mission statement" in life, arguing that knowing our purpose will encourage us to live intentionally and in a way that pleases the Lord. Another way of thinking about mission statements is to think forward to what we might wish people to inscribe on our tombstones (epitaphs). Or, more directly, how would people remember your life to date?

Micah's words offer a concise, three-part charge for life: "to act justly"; "to love mercy"; and "to walk humbly." None of these actions comes naturally to us; without God's intervention, we will not seek any of these three. All three actions slap our natural pride in the face. Yet, as we have discussed during our Sunday morning teachings, the ways of the Kingdom stand in stark contrast to the ways of the world.
　

2. His mercy will surely come to those whose hearts have turned toward Him.

"Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
you will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
You will be true to Jacob,
and show mercy to Abraham,
as you pledged on oath to our fathers
in days long ago." (7:18-20)
　
If only Judah would rend their hearts to the Lord! Indeed, a remnant will, and God's lovingkindness will shine through for them. For those who have trusted in the sacrifical work of Christ, we do experience God's "compassion"; He has "hurl[ed] our iniquities into the depths of the seas." We could never earn these victories on our own, but we trust in God's promises.
　
　
QUESTIONS

1. How well does your life reflect the three-part charge in Micah 6:8?

2. To which of God's promises do you cling today?