Walk humbly with your God
Micah 6:8 - This wisdom is still applicable to modern Christians, a concise set of instructions for living a holy life.
“Walk humbly with your God.” Image generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using the DALL·E model.
“He has shown you, O mortal, 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
Over the years that Heaven On Wheels has been published, I’ve had a few encounters with the minor prophet Micah. God used this 8th Century BC prophet to bring messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and Israel. The messages about judgment were due to the idolatry and social injustice rampant during this time, but God also spoke through Micah of the blessings that would accrue for the people if they would repent and change their ways.
This chapter of the prophecies of Micah is commonly titled “In the court of the Lord,” and is written in the style of the proceedings in a court of law, with Israel on trial before the Lord. In verses 3 - 5, the Lord testifies of His goodness to the people while they treated Him poorly. Verses 6 - 7 are a response by the people, who basically think they can’t do anything right for the Lord. Thousands of offerings won’t be enough for Him, they say, and the tone of this section seems to be an entreaty for God to change His attitude toward them — be easier on us!
That’s when we get to the Lord’s answer in today’s verse. In my mind’s eye I can imagine an angry God shouting at the Israelites — “I’ve shown you what is good! All I want from you is to be just, merciful, and humble!” Let’s look at these three attributes:
Act justly: In other words, show justice and fairness towards all others. This is essentially the Golden Rule; treat others as you would want to be treated.
Love mercy: It’s not enough to just show mercy to others, God wants the people to love showing mercy. This means that they make mercy a priority in their dealings with others. God will reward those who are merciful by blessing them with His mercy in return!
Walk humbly with your God: God is reminding the people that He is God! If they keep that in mind, they will be humble before Him.
Enduring Word has some wonderful commentary about walking humbly with God:
Walk humbly with your God: “Remember who I am – your God. If you keep that in mind, you will walk humbly before Me.”
i. “I would not advise any of you to try to be humble, but to be humble. As to acting humbly, when a man forces himself to it, that is poor stuff. When a man talks a great deal about his humility, when he is very humble to everybody, he is generally a canting hypocrite. Humility must be in the heart, and then it will come out spontaneously as the outflow of life in every act that a man performs.” (Spurgeon)
ii. Spurgeon’s sermon Micah’s Message for Today applied the idea of how to walk humbly with your God:
· Walk humbly when you are spiritually strong.
· Walk humbly when you have much work to do.
· Walk humbly in all your motives.
· Walk humbly when studying God’s word.
· Walk humbly when under trials.
· Walk humbly in your devotions.
· Walk humbly with your brothers and sisters in Christ.
· Walk humbly when dealing with sinners.
iii. “True humility is thinking rightly of thyself, not meanly. When you have found out what you really are, you will be humble, for you are nothing to boast of. To be humble will make you safe. To be humble will make you happy. To be humble will make music in your heart when you go to bed. To be humble here will make you wake up in the likeness of your Master by-and-by.” (Spurgeon)
The verse begins with the words “He has shown you, mortal, what is good”, with Micah pointing out that God has already explained to Israel why they were afflicted: Their sin brought on their troubles. It wasn’t as if God was suddenly asking them to do something different or so difficult that they’d question whether the benefit outweighed the cost. He just wanted the people to recognize that they weren’t doing what He had repeatedly told them to do!
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
2,800 years ago, this was sound advice through the prophet Micah on how to live in a way pleasing to God. This wisdom is still applicable to modern Christians, a concise set of instructions for living a holy life.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, help me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You each and every day. Direct my steps so that I strive to do what is right and fair in all situations, open my heart to show compassion and kindness to others, and teach me to be humble and dependent on Your guidance. May my studies of Your Word transform me so that my life reflects Your character and values, guiding me to serve others always with kindness and integrity. AMEN.