Readings for today: Micah 5-7
I’ve spent the last day or so talking to our guide. As I shared in a previous devotional, Rami is Israeli by citizenship, Palestinian by nationality, Arab by ethnicity, and Christian by religion. This puts him squarely at the intersection of many of the different tension points that exist in this country. Interestingly enough, Rami is not a bitter or angry man. He just carries a great sorrow. He is burdened for his own people and for the nation of Israel. He has strong opinions but at the same time is honest enough to acknowledge the deep complexities that exist. Today I asked him if he could see a way forward. “To be honest, probably not. The system is simply broken. But at the same time, if we would just learn to listen and treat each other as human beings worthy of dignity and honor and respect as image-bearers of God, perhaps we might find a way.” I shared with him that I often have those same feelings about my own country and the challenges we face. No matter where you go in the world today, oppression and injustice and hatred and rage and violence seem to be the rule rather than the exception. How in the world can we ever flip this script?
Sadly, nothing is new under the sun. The prophet Micah saw some of the same dynamics in his country thousands of years ago. What was his prescription? Listen again to those famous words from Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” It seems so simple. Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly before God. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else. This is how God defines what is good. This is what it means to be a godly nation. This is the only way to secure God’s blessing. Where injustice and hate and pride are allowed to take root, God turns His face. He gives us over to the consequences of our decisions. He withdraws His protective hand. The result is violence and chaos and suffering and despair. We see this dynamic play out over and over again both in the Bible and throughout human history.
Judgment begins at the household of God. Micah is speaking to the people of God. People who know His Word. People who worship Him at His Temple. People who, at least in theory, have set their hearts to listen to His voice and obey His commands. If they will not do justice and love kindness and walk humbly with God then who will? This is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. It’s why the scandals that have rocked the church in recent years are so tragic. It’s why the abuse is so horrifying. It’s why the hypocrisy is so heart-breaking. How can we expect those who are lost to find the way of Jesus compelling when we don’t? How can we expect those who do not believe to find Jesus attractive when we barely can get out of bed to spend time with Him? How can we expect our nations to pass righteous laws and enact just social policies that balance mercy and grace and kindness without the church leading the way?
Friends, we have much work to do and here’s the good news. It begins with a single step. It begins when you and I choose to do the next right thing. It begins when we humble ourselves before God in prayer. Falling on our knees before Him in repentance and confession of sin. It begins when we leverage whatever influence we have over the people we love and organizations we lead and the communities we serve to bring about the justice, kindness, and mercy of God. This is good and this is what the Lord requires of us.
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Kings 16-17, 2 Chronicles 28