Micah 6:8

“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.

How does one act justly? What does it mean to “walk justly?”

Webster says— “having a basis or conforming to fact or reason; conforming to a standard of correctness; acting or confirming to what is morally right or good.”

So many more questions come to mind like—whose fact or reason? What standard of correctness? What is morally right?

Well, to answer said questions—we need to look at the Bible verse in context.

God said what is just—so we define “just” by God’s definition—which is, “Properly a verdict pronounced favorably or unfavorably,” Strong’s Concordance H4941.

We walk justly based on the law of God—which at one time influenced man’s laws.

The idea is that the verdict is fair. We don’t bring emotion or favoritism into making a “just” decision. There should be no partiality—the innocent shouldn’t be punished and the guilty shouldn’t be set free.

We serve others with an attitude of “all are welcome,” but don’t justify bad behavior or sinful actions with a spirit of enabling, either. To act justly is to be balanced and fair to everyone. That’s why they say, “justice is blind.” It shouldn’t see who stands before her to tempt her of being either too lenient or too harsh. Everyone should be judged by the same standards, with the same rewards or punishments. That’s justice. That’s how God is expecting us to act, fairly—as He does with true justice.

What is mercy, and how do I love it?

LvWebster shares his insights— “Compassion or forbearance shown, especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power.”

“Lenient or compassionate treatment.”

“A blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion.”

At first these two seem in opposition to one another—be just, yet compassionate. I think that as we act in a just manner while loving mercy, we will apply justice with gentleness.

For, what does it look like to love mercy?  How am I to love mercy?

I am to chase after it; I am to sacrifice for it; I am to protect it and draw near to it. For that’s how we love someone or something.

There’s a difference between enabling someone and being merciful with justice towards them.

When we enable, we justify someone’s bad or sinful behavior, as to protect them from being upset. With merciful justice, I think of Paul in prison, under house arrest. He was waiting for his trial, as a guard watched over him, yet Paul could have company.

We are to call a wrong, wrong and a sin, sin, as Jesus did, with compassion and gentleness. We are also to keep a seat open at our table for any and all who want to join us, and do so without favoritism, as Jesus modeled for us. Mercy.

How do I walk humbly with our God?

A humble person is not proud or haughty. One who is not arrogant or assertive. Understanding our position in Christ—as His children can indeed produce an arrogance that is unbecoming. We are chosen. Yet, when we understand ALL are chosen, all are given the same rights and privileges to become children of God, this should humble us a bit.

“For God so loved the world…” all of us.

The difference is that Christians have accepted this gift from God, surrendered our will and now fully obey God. Sadly, others have not yet chosen to obey. They haven’t received God’s citizenship of Heaven. This shouldn’t cause us to boast—for we have done nothing to obtain it ourselves—we just have accepted God’s gift of salvation and now need to fully obey God.

Fully obey…this alone humbles me. I don’t fully obey. I sin. I try to do what’s right—that’s my goal—but I still have this nature that wants it’s own way. I want to insist on doing things my way. Isn’t that being assertive? Which is the opposite of humility.

Walking humbly before God is to intentionally give God first place in everything. “Not my way, Yours be done.”

Isn’t that what Jesus said that Thursday night in the garden—

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" appears in Luke 22:42-44, NIV.

Yet, do we say this daily?  Then do we follow through with intentional determination for the next 18 hours while we’re awake? Surrendering to God is an ongoing challenge for me. Not just in the morning—but many times during the day. But the benefits of surrender are so worth the struggle getting there—God’s peace, His understanding, His presence are so good. As a result, I treat people differently. I think of them first, or at times a very close second, if I’m being honest.

All we have to do is to repeat it the next day. Will we?

This is how we walk humbly with God—surrendering our will to His. It’s a game changer.

Father,

Help us to pursue Your right and good justice, to love and chase after mercy and to walk humbly behind You—as You lead us on our path of righteousness.

You are worthy to be praised, worthy to be honored, worthy to be obeyed.

Help us with our shortcomings and our areas of weakness.

We need the joy of the LORD, daily—for it is truly our strength. (Neh. 8:10).

We surrender to You, today—our will for Yours.

Amen.