He has shown you, O mortal, 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, NIV)
Human, the Lord has told you what goodness is. This is what He wants from you: Be fair to other people. Love kindness and loyalty, and humbly obey your God. – (Micah 6:8, ERV)
But He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously. – (Micah 6:8, MSG)
I so appreciate the Message translation, as it communicates what is being said in an easily understood manner. What God asked of people in the Old Testament times remained the same throughout Jesus’ life and beyond. To take God seriously means that we seek Him, obey what He is asking, and ever pursue what He wants us to do. Our neighbors are all those with whom we interact, and to be fair and just, compassionate and loyal, are clear explanations of how to love well. All of these boil down to loving God and loving people. Yesterday, I was blessed to spend the afternoon with one of my friends whom I have known the longest. We grew up together, back and forth across the street between one another’s homes, and shared life together until we graduated from high school and moved on. Our lives have been woven together since we were babies, and despite the twists and turns that life has taken, and when we get together, the sweet familial familiarity is ever-present and we can communicate about anything without fear of scorn or judgment, for we know one another’s heart. This sort of interaction is how God intended that we relate to one another. Not all interactions or relationships are so easy, but the intent ought to be the same – for if we truly love, we are humble and kind, fair and just, and choose compassion and loyalty as we relate to one another. May we ever seek the Lord to show us what is good and how to love Him and those around us well.
The Lord has shown us,
what is truly good;
to love as He loves,
His heart understood.
Kindness, compassion,
loyalty and love;
humbly extended,
like the Lord above.
Freely He’s given,
for all to receive;
grace and His goodness,
as we choose believe.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have shown us what is good and what You ask of us. Thank You that the bottom line is that we are called to love You and love those around us. Thank You that You first loved us. Forgive us for the times that we do not extend the love that You intended us to give to those with whom we interact. Teach us to trust and rely on You to lead us to love as You love. Show us how to love those around us with words and actions in ways that make Your goodness known. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we thank You for the unending, overwhelming, goodness and love that You pour out to us so that we can go and do likewise. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. – Mark 12:30-31