Walking Humbly: A Call to Justice and Mercy
Summary
In the book of Micah, we find a powerful call to examine our walk with God. The prophet Micah speaks to the people of Israel, who have strayed from the path of righteousness, justice, and mercy. They have become corrupt, and their society is plagued with injustice, bribery, and oppression. God, through Micah, calls them to account, reminding them of His past deliverance and the righteous path they are meant to follow. The central question posed is, "What does the Lord require of you?" The answer is clear: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
This message is not just for the Israelites of Micah's time but for us today. We are challenged to reflect on our own lives and communities. Are we walking in the way of justice and mercy, or have we become complacent, allowing injustice to thrive around us? The call to justice is not merely about legal fairness but about a deep commitment to righting wrongs and standing with the marginalized. Loving kindness, or "chesed," is about a posture of benevolence and loyalty to those in need, leveraging our privileges for the benefit of others.
Walking humbly with God is about recognizing our dependence on Him. It is a call to humility, acknowledging that we cannot justify ourselves through our actions or offerings. Instead, we rely on God's grace and mercy, trusting in His justice and salvation. This walk is characterized by a teachable spirit, a willingness to learn and grow, and a commitment to living out God's values in our daily lives.
Micah's prophecy points to a future hope, a coming ruler from Bethlehem who will embody justice, mercy, and humility. This is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial love sets the standard for our walk. As a community, we are called to reflect this walk in our interactions, striving to be a church that embodies justice, mercy, and humility in all we do.
Key Takeaways:
- Justice and Mercy: Walking faithfully with God requires us to pursue justice and mercy for others. This means actively standing against oppression and leveraging our privileges to support those in need. Our walk should reflect God's heart for justice and mercy, challenging us to be agents of change in our communities. [14:15]
- Corruption and Injustice: The book of Micah highlights the pervasive corruption and injustice in society. It serves as a reminder that God detests such practices and calls us to examine our own lives and institutions. We must be vigilant in addressing social evils and ensuring that our actions align with God's standards of righteousness. [15:34]
- Dependence on God: Walking humbly with God means recognizing our dependence on Him for justification and salvation. We cannot earn our way to righteousness through our deeds; instead, we rely on God's grace and mercy. This posture of humility and dependence is essential for a faithful walk with God. [27:26]
- Future Hope in Christ: Micah's prophecy points to a future hope in Jesus Christ, who embodies justice, mercy, and humility. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His walk in our lives, striving to live out these values in our interactions with others. This hope empowers us to pursue justice and mercy with confidence. [31:29]
- Community and Accountability: Our walk with God is not a solitary journey but one that involves community and accountability. We are called to support one another in our pursuit of justice, mercy, and humility, recognizing that we are part of a larger body striving to reflect God's values in the world. [33:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:59] - Introduction to Micah
- [01:31] - The State of Israel
- [02:42] - God's Vision for Peace
- [04:04] - The Promise of a Ruler
- [04:59] - God's Indictment
- [07:23] - A Call to Justice
- [08:22] - Personal Reflection
- [09:11] - The Walk of Faith
- [12:05] - The Consequences of Injustice
- [12:56] - The Faithful One to Come
- [14:15] - Justice and Mercy
- [15:34] - Corruption in Society
- [17:04] - Social Evils Today
- [18:09] - The Call to Action
- [20:43] - Loving Kindness
- [22:23] - God's Faithfulness
- [23:23] - Walking Humbly with God
- [27:26] - Dependence on God
- [31:29] - Future Hope in Christ
- [33:13] - Community and Accountability
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Micah 6:8
- Micah 4:1-5
- Micah 5:2-5
#### Observation Questions
1. What specific injustices and corrupt practices does Micah highlight in his prophecy? [14:15]
2. How does Micah describe the future hope and the coming ruler from Bethlehem? [04:04]
3. What does Micah 6:8 say about what the Lord requires from His people? [25:48]
4. How does the sermon describe the societal conditions during Micah's time? [15:34]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the call to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God" challenge the societal norms of Micah's time? [14:15]
2. In what ways does the prophecy of a ruler from Bethlehem provide hope for the people of Israel? [04:04]
3. How does the sermon suggest that the message of Micah is relevant to contemporary society? [18:09]
4. What does it mean to walk humbly with God, according to the sermon? [27:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have become complacent in the face of injustice? How can you actively stand against oppression in your community? [18:09]
2. Consider the concept of "chesed" or loving kindness. How can you leverage your privileges to support those in need around you this week? [20:43]
3. Walking humbly with God involves recognizing our dependence on Him. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a teachable spirit and a posture of humility in your daily life? [27:26]
4. The sermon mentions the importance of community and accountability. How can you engage more deeply with your church community to support one another in pursuing justice, mercy, and humility? [33:13]
5. Reflect on the future hope in Christ as described in Micah. How does this hope empower you to live out the values of justice, mercy, and humility in your interactions with others? [31:29]
6. Think about a time when you relied on your own actions to justify yourself. How can you shift your focus to rely more on God's grace and mercy? [28:20]
7. Identify one specific action you can take this week to embody the sacrificial love of Christ in your relationships. How can this action reflect the walk of justice, mercy, and humility? [32:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Pursuing Justice and Mercy
In the book of Micah, the call to pursue justice and mercy is a profound reminder of God's heart for righteousness. This pursuit is not limited to legal fairness but extends to a deep commitment to righting wrongs and standing with the marginalized. It challenges individuals to actively oppose oppression and leverage their privileges to support those in need. Walking faithfully with God requires embodying His values of justice and mercy, becoming agents of change in our communities. This call is as relevant today as it was in Micah's time, urging us to reflect on our actions and ensure they align with God's standards. [14:15]
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: Identify a specific injustice in your community. How can you actively contribute to addressing it this week?
Day 2: Confronting Corruption and Injustice
The book of Micah highlights the pervasive corruption and injustice in society, serving as a stark reminder that God detests such practices. It calls individuals to examine their own lives and institutions, ensuring their actions align with God's standards of righteousness. This vigilance requires a commitment to addressing social evils and standing against practices that perpetuate oppression. By confronting corruption and injustice, individuals can reflect God's heart for righteousness and become catalysts for change in their communities. [15:34]
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: Consider an area in your life or community where you have witnessed corruption or injustice. What steps can you take to address it and promote righteousness?
Day 3: Embracing Dependence on God
Walking humbly with God involves recognizing our dependence on Him for justification and salvation. It is a call to humility, acknowledging that righteousness cannot be earned through deeds but is a gift of God's grace and mercy. This posture of humility and dependence is essential for a faithful walk with God, characterized by a teachable spirit and a willingness to learn and grow. By embracing dependence on God, individuals can trust in His justice and salvation, allowing His values to guide their daily lives. [27:26]
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle to rely on God. How can you practice humility and dependence on Him in this area today?
Day 4: Finding Hope in Christ
Micah's prophecy points to a future hope in Jesus Christ, who embodies justice, mercy, and humility. As followers of Christ, individuals are called to reflect His walk in their lives, striving to live out these values in their interactions with others. This hope empowers believers to pursue justice and mercy with confidence, knowing that Christ's sacrificial love sets the standard for their walk. By embracing this future hope, individuals can find strength and encouragement to embody God's values in their daily lives. [31:29]
Zechariah 9:9 (ESV): "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
Reflection: How does the hope found in Christ inspire you to pursue justice and mercy in your life? What specific actions can you take to reflect His values today?
Day 5: Building Community and Accountability
Our walk with God is not a solitary journey but one that involves community and accountability. Believers are called to support one another in their pursuit of justice, mercy, and humility, recognizing that they are part of a larger body striving to reflect God's values in the world. This communal aspect of faith encourages individuals to hold each other accountable, fostering an environment where God's standards are upheld and His love is shared. By building community and accountability, believers can strengthen their walk with God and become more effective agents of change. [33:13]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think of someone in your faith community who could use encouragement or support. How can you reach out to them this week to foster accountability and growth in your walk with God?
Quotes
1) "Walking faithfully with God looks like justice and mercy for others. And in chapters 2 and 3, we read that God's people detest justice. In fact, the prophet says that they make stray things crooked. And what a condemnation. Things that should be just and right and holy are profaned and made crooked and corrupt." [14:15] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "God is saying to them, you're failing in the most basic way of relating and knowing me. You're failing to walk as I've taught you to walk. And God is telling His people that He hates this. The Holy One, the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel is going to be a witness against His people. And not only a witness, but He's not going to send a repo man. He Himself is going to come and judge and walk among the people in judgment and wrath." [15:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil in their beds. When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses and take them away. They oppress a man and his house, and a man and his inheritance. These are social evils, collective evils, perpetrated against human beings." [17:04] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "God is saying, do justice. Stand against evil. Stop the oppression. Don't let the weak be taken advantage of. Don't profit off the poor. Don't make judgments based on race or class. In Israel, you have two types of people. Those who rob the poor, and those who look the other way. There wasn't any middle ground." [18:53] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The places in your life that you you're gifted, the places that you have a voice, the places that you have power or influence or maybe just presence, in those places, loving kindness, mercy means that you are loyal to those on the outside, those who have no voice, no power, no privilege, no presence." [20:43] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "What does your walk look like, Israel? Do justice. What path are you cutting, Redeemer? It is. If in the dot, witnesses are called, what is the testimony? I love that LeBron ad that ran many years ago. All it said is, these are all the LeBron highlights, and then it just puts up the words witness and says, we are all witnesses. What path are you cutting?" [21:41] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "The Bible says you can do nothing. None of that will justify you. You can do nothing for the sin of your soul. Frustration and fatigue we often feel in this life is a by -product of trying to do the impossible." [27:26] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Throughout the Old Testament, God is telling the story that He will one day pay the price of our sin and injustice. Just two weeks ago from Hosea, we saw that. God is faithful to justify it. All who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. All who look to God for their salvation will be saved. Because of His justice and mercy." [28:20] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "The posture the Lord has, his gait, his walk, is to say and to do for me what I can't do for myself. The Lord will raise me up. He will be my light. The Lord will have to be my justice. The Lord will have to vindicate me. He is my justification. I need him. I can't do it. My enemy is right. The witnesses are right. I have walked crooked. I have made straight things crooked." [31:29] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10) "Redeemer, will we be a church that walks like this? In sacrificial love for our neighbor. Doing justice. Loving. Loving our neighbors and walking humbly with our father. That's great. That would be great if you would help us. Especially like you did this morning." [32:21] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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