"He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" Mic 6:8
The prophet Micah's sole job was to communicate the will, words and wisdom of God to His chosen people, Israel. Most particularly, the message was one of dissatisfaction on the Lord's part. Micah related that God had brought them out of Egypt, rescued them from slavery, sent handpicked individuals to lead them and protected them from threats, yet they were still rebellious. He then asks the people what they think they should do. Among the things rhetorically suggested were burnt offerings, a thousand rams, rivers of olive oil and even the sacrifice of a first born.
Beloved, God similarly sustains, protects and provides for us and we similarly rebel. Despite all that God has done for us, we often seek our own way and avoid His. When we find ourselves in the depths of despair, we return on bended knee and seek to make offerings that will assuage His apparent anger and influence Him to deliver us...again. It is important to know that God cannot be "bought off" or bargained with by our meager offerings and pledges. There is nothing that we can offer Him that he does not already own with the exception of our love and obedience. More than anything, He desires our desire for Him.
This is not to say that if we "do justice, love kindness and walk humbly" with Him that no ills will befall us. Jesus said that a life lived (near) perfectly will attract persecution. What it does mean, however, is that if we are walking with the Lord, there is nothing from which He cannot or will not ultimately deliver us. In any case, it is not a matter of doing to influence God. It is a matter of loving Him because He first loved us.
Committed,
Lee
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