by Jordyn van Gaalen

Living a Life According to God’s Desire

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this Soundcloud link.

“He has showed you, O man, 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 Lord has guided us and shown us the path to righteousness, the path to life. He has revealed what His desire is for us and the way in which we are to conduct ourselves: act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with our God. 

To act “justly” involves living a life that looks different from the world we live in. Our actions ought to be louder than our words as we act in moral and ethical ways toward others. We are to do what we know is right based on the Word of God. We have been shown what is right and how we are to treat our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, and even our enemies. We can speak up for those who have no voice. We can be the hands and feet of Jesus, especially for those in need. We can come to the defense of those who are suffering. Jesus has given many more examples in His life on earth on how to act justly in our day to day lives.

“Love mercy” has also been translated as kindness. Being kind and having compassion for all of God’s children. We are to show compassion for our neighbors, for those we pass on the streets, for those God brings into our path, for the members of our families, and the people that can maybe be hard to love. God has shown incredible compassion on each of us, and we can let that truth and knowledge flow out of us into compassion for others.

“Humbly” in this verse can also be translated as “prudently,” which means to show care and thought for the future. Walking with God, walking humbly with God, is the basis for which all else flows. Walking alongside someone is quite personal and intimate. It is being in His presence through every step and every turn. When you go on a walk with a friend or family member, you are on the journey together. Each step is made with one another and the decisions of where to turn and when are accomplished as one. As we walk with the Lord, He is the light of our path. His Word reveals the way and grants wisdom with each step – the wisdom to act justly and love mercy and continue walking humbly with our God.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado