Living Out Justice, Mercy, and Humility

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Clear Requirement: Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly

God has not left us guessing about what pleases Him; instead, He has shown us plainly what is good and what He requires: to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with Him. This is not about religious performance or elaborate rituals, but about living in a way that reflects God’s heart in the world—caring for the vulnerable, showing steadfast love, and walking in humble relationship with God. The good life is not a mystery or a puzzle with missing instructions; it is a life shaped by justice, mercy, and humility, as God has revealed through His Word. [17:18]

Micah 6:6-8 (ESV)
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: In what area of your life is God inviting you to move beyond religious routine and instead live out justice, mercy, or humility in a tangible way this week?

Day 2: Doing Justice: Lifting Up the Vulnerable

To do justice means to actively use your resources, position, and presence to lift up those who are vulnerable—widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. Justice is not passive; it requires involvement, sacrifice, and a willingness to step outside of comfort to serve those in need. When we withdraw into our own preferences and convenience, injustice thrives, but when we engage, even in small ways, we reflect God’s heart for the marginalized and powerless. [29:42]

Micah 6:8 (ESV)
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Reflection: Who in your community or neighborhood is vulnerable or in need, and what is one concrete step you can take this week to serve or advocate for them?

Day 3: Loving Mercy: Embracing Steadfast, Counter-Conditional Love

Loving mercy is more than simply acting kindly; it is about cultivating a heart that delights in steadfast, committed love, even when it is not deserved or reciprocated. This kind of love—chesed—is the same love God shows us: not based on our merit, but on His choice to love. We are called to extend this love to others, remaining committed even when relationships are difficult, practicing forgiveness, and setting healthy boundaries that keep us connected rather than cut off. [35:03]

Micah 7:18 (ESV)
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who has wronged you or let you down? How might you take a step toward forgiveness or steadfast love for them today, even if it feels difficult?

Day 4: Walking Humbly with God: Intimacy, Accountability, and Growth

Walking humbly with God is a daily journey of intimate relationship, where you are both fully known and fully loved, exposed and accountable, and continually growing. It means inviting God into every part of your life, not compartmentalizing your faith, and allowing Him to lead you to new places of transformation. This walk is not about perfection, but about honest relationship, two-way conversation, and a willingness to let God shape you over time into someone new. [39:29]

James 4:10 (ESV)
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Reflection: What is one area of your life you tend to keep separate from God? How can you invite Him into that area and walk with Him there today?

Day 5: The Gospel: Jesus Fulfills What We Cannot

The call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly is not a checklist to earn God’s love, but the shape of a life transformed by the gospel. We cannot fulfill these requirements by our own effort; only Jesus has lived them perfectly, and through His life, death, and resurrection, justice and mercy meet. When we see that Jesus embodied and fulfilled Micah 6:8 for us, we are freed from striving and invited to live out of gratitude, empowered by His Spirit to become people of justice, mercy, and humility. [47:47]

Romans 8:3-4 (ESV)
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Reflection: Where do you find yourself striving to earn God’s approval? How can you rest in the truth that Jesus has fulfilled all that God requires, and let that shape your actions this week?

Sermon Summary

Gathered in the presence of God, we are reminded that the life God desires for us is not a mystery, nor is it a puzzle with missing instructions. Through the prophet Micah, God speaks plainly about what is good and what is required: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. These are not mere religious rituals or external performances, but the very shape of a life transformed by God’s love. Justice, in the biblical sense, is not abstract but deeply practical—caring for the widow, the orphan, the immigrant, and the poor. It is about using our resources, however small, to lift up the vulnerable and to be present where injustice thrives.

Mercy, or chesed, is more than an action; it is a posture of the heart. God’s steadfast, counter-conditional love for us becomes the model for how we are to love others—not out of obligation, but with delight, even when it costs us or when we receive nothing in return. Boundaries are important, but they exist within relationship, not as a means of cutting off compassion. Forgiveness, though countercultural and difficult, is at the heart of mercy, keeping us connected and defined in our relationships.

Walking humbly with God is a journey of intimacy, exposure, and growth. It means inviting God into every part of our lives, not compartmentalizing our faith, but allowing God’s presence to shape us daily. This walk is not static; it is a movement toward transformation, where over time, we become more like Christ—growing in love, patience, and self-control.

Yet, if we are honest, we often fall short. We prefer comfort to justice, reluctance to mercy, and pride to humility. The answer is not to try harder or to heap guilt upon ourselves, but to look to Jesus, who lived Micah 6:8 perfectly. On the cross, justice and mercy met, and through his Spirit, we are empowered to live out this calling—not to earn God’s love, but as those already loved and being transformed. The invitation is to let God’s love shape us so that justice, mercy, and humility become the natural outflow of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Justice is not a passive ideal but an active calling to lift up the vulnerable—the widow, orphan, immigrant, and poor. True justice requires our involvement, sacrifice, and presence, challenging us to move beyond comfort and convenience to become agents of God’s care in the world. When we withdraw into our own spheres, injustice thrives; when we step out, God’s justice is enacted through us. [29:42]
2. Mercy, or chesed, is a steadfast, counter-conditional love that mirrors God’s own love for us. We are called not just to act mercifully, but to love mercy—to find joy in compassion and forgiveness, even when it is difficult or when we receive nothing in return. Boundaries are necessary, but they serve to keep us connected in healthy relationships, not to excuse us from loving others. [35:03]
3. Walking humbly with God is a journey of intimacy, exposure, and transformation. It means inviting God into every aspect of our lives, being both fully known and fully loved, and allowing God to lead us into new growth. This walk is not about perfection, but about continual movement toward Christlikeness, where each year brings deeper maturity and greater fruit of the Spirit. [39:29]
4. The call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly is not a checklist to earn God’s favor, but the shape of a life already being transformed by grace. Our efforts alone cannot fulfill this calling; it is only through the gospel—through Jesus, who lived and fulfilled Micah 6:8 perfectly—that we are empowered to live this way. The cross is where justice and mercy meet, and from that place, we are set free to live humbly and generously. [45:43]
5. Transformation is possible not by trying harder, but by beholding Christ and receiving his love. As we see Jesus embodying justice, mercy, and humility, our hearts are changed, and these virtues become less of a burden and more of a joy. The Spirit enables us to look around, respond to need, forgive freely, and walk daily with God—not out of duty, but as those who are deeply loved and called to reflect that love in the world. [47:47]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:01] - Opening Prayer and Confession
[10:35] - Hymn of Praise
[15:54] - Scripture Reading: Micah 6
[17:18] - Children’s Dismissal and Preparation
[22:02] - The Universal Search for the Good Life
[24:10] - What God Requires: Justice, Mercy, Humility
[25:28] - The Courtroom Scene: Israel’s Sarcasm
[26:30] - Doing Justice: Caring for the Vulnerable
[29:42] - Justice Requires Involvement and Sacrifice
[30:58] - Loving Mercy: The Heart of Chesed
[35:03] - Boundaries, Forgiveness, and Mercy
[36:04] - Walking Humbly: Relationship and Growth
[39:29] - Transformation Through Walking with God
[42:41] - The Challenge and the Gospel Solution
[45:43] - Jesus Fulfills Micah 6:8
[47:47] - Living Out Justice, Mercy, and Humility
[49:08] - Practical Application and Prayer
[50:03] - Closing Prayer
[55:44] - Announcements and Fellowship
[58:38] - Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Micah 6:6-8 (ESV) — > “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
> He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Observation Questions

According to Micah 6:8, what three things does God require of his people? How does the sermon describe each of these requirements? [24:10]
In the sermon, what are the four groups of vulnerable people that biblical justice especially focuses on? [26:30]
How does the sermon define “chesed” (mercy), and how is it different from simply doing kind actions? [30:58]
What does it mean to “walk humbly with your God” according to the sermon? What are the three aspects of this walk? [36:04]

Interpretation Questions

The people in Micah’s day offered extravagant sacrifices, but God wanted something different. Why do you think God rejects religious performance in favor of justice, mercy, and humility? [25:28]
The sermon says that justice requires “involvement, sacrifice, and presence.” Why is it so easy to withdraw into comfort instead? What are the consequences when we do? [29:42]
The sermon describes mercy as “counter-conditional love.” What does it look like to love mercy, not just act mercifully, especially when there is nothing in it for us? [30:58]
Walking humbly with God is described as a journey of intimacy, exposure, and growth. How does this differ from compartmentalizing faith to just certain areas of life? [37:55]

Application Questions

The sermon says that justice is about lifting up the vulnerable—the widow, orphan, immigrant, and poor. Who are the vulnerable people in your community or circles? What is one practical way you could use your resources or presence to support them this month? [29:42]
Think about a time when you chose comfort or convenience over getting involved in someone else’s need. What held you back? What might help you take a step toward involvement next time? [29:42]
The sermon challenges us to not just act mercifully, but to “love mercy.” Is there someone in your life who is hard to forgive or show compassion to? What would it look like to move toward loving mercy in that relationship? [49:08]
Boundaries are important, but the sermon says they exist within relationship, not as a way to cut off compassion. Are there any relationships where you’ve set boundaries that might actually be keeping you from showing mercy? How could you rethink those boundaries? [35:03]
Walking humbly with God means inviting Him into every part of our lives. Are there areas of your life that you tend to keep separate from your faith? What would it look like to invite God into those areas this week? [37:55]
The sermon says transformation comes not by trying harder, but by beholding Christ and receiving His love. What is one way you can intentionally focus on Jesus’ example of justice, mercy, and humility this week? [47:47]
The message reminds us that Micah 6:8 is not a checklist to earn God’s love, but the shape of a life already being transformed by grace. How does this truth change your motivation for pursuing justice, mercy, and humility? [49:08]

Sermon Clips

The way Jesus picks up on those same values, that same picture, is he says, you're called to love the Lord your God with all of your heart. That's walking humbly with God. And he says, you are called to love your neighbor as yourself. That is loving mercy and doing justice. [00:23:49] (22 seconds) #LoveJusticeMercy

We're called to use our position, our resources, even if they seem small, even if they seem insignificant, even if it doesn't seem like we're making any difference. We're called to use our position and our resources to lift up the powerless. That's what God means when he says do justice, do mishpat. [00:29:30] (26 seconds) #JusticeRequiresPresence

That's what God wants from us. But if we're honest, a verse like that is devastating. Because while we often talk about justice, we most likely prefer comfort. We can denounce injustice in our online posts, but rarely do we pause long enough to examine how our own lives contribute to it. We talk about mercy, but if we're honest, we don't love mercy. At best, we're reluctant about it. We talk about humility. But we live proudly. [00:43:25] (46 seconds) #DeismWithoutTransformation

And so the question is, how do we live it out? How do we do it? And the answer is, you can't. The answer is, this is no more possible for us than thousands of rams and firstborns and rivers of oil. This is also impossible. And this is also out of reach. The answer is not trying harder. The answer is not to feel guilty or shameful until I can get it together. The answer is not trying harder. If the answer was trying harder, we wouldn't need a New Testament, right? We wouldn't need a Jesus. We wouldn't need a gospel. We wouldn't need a Holy Spirit. The answer is not in trying harder. It's in understanding the gospel. [00:45:36] (50 seconds) #GospelJusticeMercy

Jesus' life exemplifies and portrays this text. He did justice. He was always lifting up the poor, healing the sick, welcoming in the outcast, the forgotten, and the stranger. He loved mercy. He forgave sinners. He forgave those even who put him on a cross. He walked humbly with God. He constantly said, I don't do anything on my own, but I only do what I see God telling me to do. And on the eve of his crucifixion, he says, I wish this wasn't happening. I wish I didn't have to go through this, but nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done. And that's walking humbly with our God. [00:46:51] (45 seconds) #TransformedByGodsLove

``And he didn't just model Micah 6, 8. He fulfilled it for us. He fulfills it for us. On the cross, justice and mercy kiss. Justice comes together because God's anger and wrath against sin was satisfied, and his mercy was poured out. That's the gospel. That's the good news. [00:47:36] (27 seconds) #LifeShapedByLove

And when you see that, when you realize that Jesus didn't just preach Micah 6, 8, but he embodied it, he lived it, then you become a transformed person. Justice is no longer a burden for you because you know the one who bore injustice for you. Mercy is no longer something that we're reluctant about because we've received infinite mercy. Humility is no longer crushing, but it's flowing through us because our identity is secure in the God who loves us. [00:48:02] (39 seconds)

Micah 6, 8 is never, ever, ever intended to be a checklist designed to help us earn God's love. We can't. It's never that, but it is the shape of a life that is already being transformed by God's love. [00:49:42] (21 seconds)

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