What does a life “called out” look like? God has the prophet Micah describe what he wants from us. He begins by asking a rhetorical question:
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 olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Micah 6:6-7
“No” is the obvious answer to these questions. Then Micah reveals what God really desires in us is an undivided, humble heart:
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
Justice, mercy and humility. The first two are predicated by the third: humility. When we humble ourselves consistently before the love and authority of Jesus, he grows within us a heart comprised of the perfect blend of justice and mercy. It all starts, though, with the position of our heart before him. As I read this passage this morning, a prayer of humility came to me. Perhaps it will express your heart, too:
“Father God, without you I will surely fail in this. I will tend toward stern justice with others and lax mercy toward myself. Only as I cling to you, following your lead in humility, will I find the right balance. Holy Spirit, work in me to this end.”
On the adventure with you,
Kirk