Are you the type of person who struggles to put together household items or Christmas gifts you’ve purchased? I am. The accompanying directions for assembly are just too hard to decipher. Sometimes, although the instructions are in English, they read like a foreign language and are way too complicated for my feeble brain. I end up confused or frustrated. All I want are simple words and simple steps to follow!

The prophet Micah points out one such set of words for us. In fact, he calls them demands and highlights the three we are to follow: justice, mercy, and obedience. Sounds clear and simple enough. Right?

Isn’t it wonderful to know that God never leaves us hanging, struggling to figure out how we’re supposed to act? Throughout all of His holy word, He reminds us to reflect His character and model His love for others as we live our lives. We are to stand in the gap for those who are defenseless and need justice. We are to extend mercy and grace to our fellow man, just as God has done for us. And in humility, we should obey the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

Our Christian journey would be so much easier if we would just follow instructions. We are good at reading them, but not always at applying them. As James 1:22 admonishes us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The good news is that we have the Holy Spirit as a guide to help us figure out the instructions and follow them.

Father, thank you that you didn’t leave us hanging. You have given us everything we need to assemble our lives and to live it simply, as you have called us to. Help me to love justice, extend mercy, and display humility and obedience as I walk with you. Amen.

Go Deeper — Today, think about people or causes that you can stand in the gap for, how you might extend mercy to a hurting friend, and what steps of obedience God is asking you to take. Set a goal for each one and ask an accountability partner to pray with you about these.

Read FurtherLove God, Love Others. It’s That Simple.



Tags: Grace and Mercy Micah 6
Photo Credit: Rodion Kutsaev