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?
As a human, my behaviour stinks. I mean let me face it, admit it and acknowledge that my human nature is fallen and naturally I do the complete opposite of what I should do.
As an example I look at the 10 commandments. It is something I think most people have all heard of, at least in passing. But what does commandment actually mean? The Hebrew word that has been translated as 'commandment' is literally "instruction" / "decree"/ "direction"/ "obligation" /"demand" - you get the idea - basically something I HAVE to or MUST do. It is really for my own good but can I do these things? Any of them? All of them? Even one of them? Do I naturally desire to obey these instructions/ demands?
I can only answer for myself. Maybe in my spirit yes but certainly not in my flesh. Even Jesus said in Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. So is this an excuse? I mean, just because I know I am rotten and my flesh is weak can I just go on having MY way? Is MY way HIS way? One of my favourite scriptures to quote is from Proverbs 3:5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
What does this all mean? It says in verse 8 that it will be healthy for me and literally rejuvenate me if it works on my marrow! Trust in Him with ALL my heart? Lean NOT on MY own understanding? Acknowledging Him in ALL my ways? Not being wise in MY own eyes? Is this what it means to die to self? How do I pray that His will be done and not My will? Luke 9 is a good chapter but verse 23 specifically...And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Deny himself..... Hmmmmm. Deny myself? Not have what I want? Those two words right there - I WANT! "I WANT" is stepping on dangerous ground. "I WANT" is always indicative of MY WILL. "I WANT" is very selfish. "I WANT" generally ends in "I will get it, whatever it is at whatever cost!"
So, why am I writing about this today? Yesterday I came across the writings of a young girl and her mission statement for this stage of her life is Micah 6:8. It just encouraged me so much. So this morning I woke up singing those words and decided to do a little study on it.
None of those things (He has shown me what is good, What the Lord requires of me; to do justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly) is a foreign concept to me.
He has shown me what is good.
Yes, it is true. In many places, all over the Word. It is His character to show me, it is never hidden. The list is quite exhaustive but here is an example:
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Matthew 5 is a huge chapter but look how it ends: 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Perfect huh? The word in the Greek is Teleios - literally WHOLE or COMPLETE. The Hebrew is SHALEM where we get the word Shalom from - it means wholeness. We are to be whole/ complete just like He is. With Him in us, we really are different! He is GOOD. He has shown us Himself.
What He requires of me
- to do justly - Psalm 89:14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
- to love mercy - the opposite action of mercy is to take revenge. Forgiveness and mercy go hand in hand.
- to walk humbly - James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Lord help me do what you require of me, I just can't do it on my own. |
• Nov. 25, 2008 - Untitled Comment
PS. I sat straight up in bed the other night and wondered, did I actually wish you a happy Thanksgiving earlier, forgetting that the day is an U.S. observance?? I am so blonde sometimes... lol! Well, thank the Lord anyway.