When Micah the prophet preached to the children of Israel, he spoke with a very harsh tone. His prophetic writings concerned the people’s sin, God’s judgement, and God’s ultimate restoration of the sinner. If we look within the pews of our churches we might wish to cry forth the same. Many times the enemy to Christianity are the very ones who call themselves Christians, sit in a pew every week, sing praise songs and pay their tithe; while the remainder of the week they go about the world making money or fame their idol. I, too, must be ever mindful of the fact that as far as the world sees my daily actions are the only reflections of Christ that some will ever see. Yet, what I am referring to are those who put on the outward show and claim that they are Christians; yet, their hearts have no inclination or love for the Lord. These were to whom Micah was preaching in the Israel nation. Those who went about performing the acts of sacrifice and presenting their burnt offerings; more for the show that true love or worship. They desired what they could obtain or the gifts from God; but did not want the fellowship. In fact, many worshiped idols. In chapter 5 of Micah, Christ’s birth was prophesied. Then in chapter 6 Micah pleaded with the people for repentance, a repentance of the heart.
Micah 6: 6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
There were three things which the Lord required, which demonstrate the heart of the true believer.
1. To do justly. Do you love that which is just and upright? Do you hate that which is evil as David admonished in Psalm 97: "10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil:". Do you desire to always seek to know the truth in every situation, even when it might show that you were wrong? Though we may not be always get this right and we may at times look back and say "wow, I have failed"; the question is where is your heart? Look at what Habakkuk wrote in chapter 2: "4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." If your heart is seeking that which is just; God will make a way because of your faith to demonstrate the intent of your heart.
2. To love mercy. Although we are to hate evil, we are not to hate those who are trapped in their sins. They are the very ones we need to be ministering to and teaching about the mercy and love of Christ. We are not to be like Jonah who pouted over the people repenting because he wanted God to punish them. Sounds a lot like us sometimes when we forget how much Christ has forgiven us already. We should have hearts of mercy. As Christ taught, Luke 6 "35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
3. To walk humbly with thy God. From the beginning of mankind, when Eve desired to "be like God" and down through the ages to our own self-exalting, selfish hearts filled with pride, we, the human race, think much too much of ourselves and our petty desires. We need to focus on who God truly is, His majesty, His Glory, His Mercy, His righteousness and His rulership over all that He created. When we do that, we must bow down humbly before Him; willing to serve and desiring to follow where ever He might lead. James 4: "6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNCah0r27Tk
© 2013 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork by Ronald Barba ©2011 used by written permission. Ronald’s artwork is available at:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/mountaintop-experiences-in-the-valley-ronald-barba.html
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