Reading for today
Old Testament: Micah 4, 5, 6, 7
Thoughts from today’s reading
Micah 6:8. This verse sums up what the Lord requires of man; to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Firstly, we must have the desire to do righteousness at all times because that is the nature of who we are. Christ died to make us righteous, so the struggle is not to be righteous, but to do righteousness. Secondly, we have been invited by God to obtain mercy from Him whenever we need it (Hebrews 4:16) and Jesus also requires us to share this mercy with others, for when we do we receive even more mercies (Matthew 5:7). Finally, we must walk humbly with God, remembering that when He helps us and lifts us up, we should not become proud and exalt ourselves against God and others, for pride is the thing that corrupted Lucifer and made him fall away from God eternally.
Prayer
1. Heavenly Father, you have shown us what you require of man. You are not a God that gives us requirements to do things that we are incapable of doing. You also send us help and instruction to do what you have commanded. Today, we pray for a release of the grace of God which enables us to do all that you command. We thank you for strength of character to do the right thing at all times. We are grateful for mercy you show to us and we give mercy to others, especially those who have offended us, we release them of their offence and forgive them. As we humble ourselves before you, acknowledging that all we have and all we are from you, we thank you for lifting us higher than we could ever lift ourselves.