WATCHWORD:
5 “Don’t you remember, O my people, how Balak, king of Moab, tried to destroy you through the curse of Balaam, son of Beor, but I made him bless you instead? That is the kindness I showed you again and again. Have you no memory at all of what happened at Acacia and Gilgal and how I blessed you there?” 6 “How can we make up to you for what we’ve done?” you ask. “Shall we bow before the Lord with offerings of yearling calves?” Oh no! 7 For if you offered him thousands of rams and ten thousands of rivers of olive oil—would that please him? Would he be satisfied? If you sacrificed your oldest child, would that make him glad? Then would he forgive your sins? Of course not! 8 No, he has told you what he wants, and this is all it is: to be fair, just, merciful, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:5-8
“Yes, woe upon you, Pharisees, and you other religious leaders—hypocrites! For you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your garden, but ignore the important things—justice and mercy and faith. Yes, you should tithe, but you shouldn’t leave the more important things undone. Matthew 23:23
Meditation:
Hey, God, I’ve Got A Question!
I’ve been a really good boy. I pay my taxes on time. I tithe exactly 10% my total income, after taxes, of course. I treat my betters very well, thank you. I even treat those who are lost in sin with forbearance. I rarely have taken your name in vain, although I’ve slipped a couple of times, and you have forgiven me. I rarely pass by on the other side, except that one time when I thought he was dead. I don’t feed stray dogs, they’ll just stick around and beg some more. I would do more for those who are homeless, Lord, but they smell and there is no telling the germs that collect on them. You can see, I’ve been a really good boy.
So, Mr. God of the Universe, I’ve got a question for you. What must I do to take my favored position in heaven? I assume that it will be at the right-hand or the left hand of that Jesus fella. I would prefer the right side. (long pause) Hello, hello. God, are you there? Hello! (another longer pause) Then, “Oh, Mortal, I have shown you what is good and what I require. That is my answer.”
The question, “What must I do?”, is a good one, and the answer had already been given. Every moment of our lives, we are to be merciful. We are to be fair and nonjudgmental. Get that, nonjudgmental. We are not to see ourselves as superior, but to love everyone with equality. In other words, we are to care for others the same way we care for ourselves. We are called to be color blind, status blind, and we are called to use the abundance that God has given us to help alleviate the suffering in the world around us. That is what the Lord requires of us.
How are we holding up our part of the bargain? Are we really good people? In whose eyes? Our own? God’s, where it counts? Whose? By what measure?
Recently I was caught in a very strained situation between my attempt to present an experience from my own past and recent developments within our nation that defined options. In retrospect, I had cause to wonder where mercy, defined by our Lord, comes into the equation. I ask myself, if it is a choice between strictly following a law, or showing mercy, even in violation of that law, what would be my choice? What would be your decision?
In this scripture passage above, God used Micah to challenge those who where rigid in their religious/legal expressions but deficient in righteousness and justice in day-to-day life. Righteousness and justice without mercy is hollow. The spiritual lifeblood is missing if mercy is not in the equation. Read again the passage from Matthew, above. These are Christ’s marching orders for us. Justice and mercy matters to Christ.
Of course, when it is personal, and is right there before you in the life of a loved one, then it is a question for God. For me, it was. So be it.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, We praise you for your love and faithfulness. We thank you for your protection and care for our families. Thank you that you give us the power to love well; the wisdom to lead and teach our children of all ages. We know you’re for us; that you fight for us today and everyday. You are Redeemer, Restorer, and Friend, we believe you have good in store for each one of us, even in the face of adversity. We confess, some days, loving others is tough. Many days we can feel anxious or overwhelmed. We ask that you would make us more like you, more aware of your constant Presence in our lives. Help us to release those we pray for to You, so that You are free to fully accomplish all that You desire, in them, through them. Please fill our minds and hearts with your truth and cover us with your favor. In Christ name we pray. Amen.
