The prophet Micah, whom we quote often in Daily Manna, speaks for God.  He tells us what God requires of us.  The words are simple but living them will require the Presence of God’s Holy Spirit living in us, guiding us to truth while prompting us to thing, speak, and walk on the right path with God along with the power to do what God says. 

“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

The Core Commands

• Act justly: Treat all people with fairness and honesty. Stand up for what is right.  Throughout the gospels, Jesus demonstrates the love of God with true justice for all as He walked the earth.  He was sent to be “the Word of God made flesh” to live among all humanity for a while to teach all what it means to “act justly” with no condemnation—only correction and restoration to those willing to receive and believe Him.
• Love mercy: Show deep care, forgiveness, and kindness to others.  Jesus showed mercy to all who mercy was not given by anyone at that time.  Jesus was counterculture and included everyone in God’s salvation work. Jesus reached down, walked in the dirt of humanity, to pull people up and out of their current condition to bring healing through forgiveness to their souls then to their physical, mental and emotional beings.  He did not judge to see if they were worthy enough before compassionately forgiving and restoring.  He merely probed to ask if He was what they truly wanted.  This is second requirement for we who say we believe with a desire to follow our Lord.
• Walk humbly: Keep a close, intimate, revered relationship with God. Do not act proud. In fact, avoid all traits of behaviors that are the characteristics of the Enemy whose only goal is to distract, deceive, and deconstruct our faith in God.  Instead, daily and diligently develop all the character traits (fruits of the Holy Spirit) of God!  We have the power given to us by God to do what He says!  The more we walk and talk with God in relationship with Him; the more we become like Him.  Jesus demonstrated the character of God to all humanity while residing on earth.  “I only say and do what the Father tells me,” was Jesus mantra.

God’s focus: God cares more about how people live and treat others than about large religious gifts or sacrifices.  That is evident throughout His Word from Genesis to Revelation!  “Obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22) God reminds Saul the King of Israel, through the mouth of Samuel the prophet priest, when Saul decided he could do a better work than God Himself!  King Saul lived to regret his pride as God’s spirit was taken from the king and place on the head of David the shepherd boy who became the King.

Throughout the Bible we read demonstrations of God’s powerful work through those who sought His wisdom and direction above all other things.  God blesses those whose hearts are completely committed to Him and who seek His wisdom beyond all other advisors or counselors.  God is God and we are not.  Seek God and His wisdom first before doing anything of significance for Him.  This is what the Psalmist seeks…

Psalm 119, The Message

(Part 4 of the ABC’s of Psalm 119)

ד Daleth

I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
    Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
    train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
    so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
    build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
    grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
    I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
    God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
    if you’ll just show me how.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Notice that the previous section ended with the psalmist delighting in God’s Word, asking for Clarity with confidence; but in this next passage he is depressed and laying in the dust of despair! The enemy attacks us the hardest when we are enjoying the blessings of God.  Expect this to happen!

When things are going well and we “feel good,” it is dangerous to relax and lay aside the armor (Ephesians 6:10–18). “Guard your heart!” God’s word repeatedly warns us of the Enemy who “prowls around like a lion seeking to devour his prey”. (1 Peter 5:8)

I had a wise mentor who told me simply, and in this order to;

Know God personally, through Jesus, His Son who has won the victory over the Enemy.  Our battles are mere skirmishes until Jesus, who won the war, comes back again to claim His own and end what we face on earth now.

Know Yourself in relationship to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit.  Diligently daily offer ourselves to God as an offering as this is our spiritual act of worship to God! (Romans 12:1-2) Guard your heart with God’s holy act of purification through prayer and faith believing.

Know the Word Jesus knew the Word because He was the Word sent to combat the Enemy’s taunting and temptation.  This 40 days in the desert before beginning His ministry on earth solidified Jesus’ relationship with His Father, God and taught us how to combat God’s Enemy and ours in the best way—with Truth—God’s Word.

Know the Enemy and what he hates most—believers on their knees praying in the Name of Jesus who is the Victor.  He flees as we say the Name of Jesus in confidence, believing He is with us always!  The Enemy knows when we are tempted to walk alone and preys on those who do not seek God’s wisdom and help.  Expect him to cause trouble and be prepared for his acts of nasty.

So, when the Psalmist found himself down, the psalmist knew what to do—he prayed!

Do likewise!

Lord,

Thank you for the encouragement of Your Word that builds our faith as you purify our hearts.  Give us your wisdom for this day. Be in all the details of our lives on earth as you are in heaven.  Cleanse our hearts, remove all that does not belong and is not of You. Renew our minds until we think more like you in every way. Refresh our souls with your new tender mercies, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation at work within us.  To you be the glory! 

In Jesus Name, Amen!