‘What does the LORD require?’
“With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God?” … And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8)
The Uganda Keswick Convention chose a theme from Micah for this year. The question of ‘What does the Lord require?’ is prominent in this book and elsewhere in the Scriptures. One prophecy about our Lord Jesus Christ goes: ‘and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign … with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.’ Looking back at the governments in the days of Isaiah and Micah leaves us convinced that the promise of a better reign – one of justice and righteousness – must have been received with great enthusiasm and eagerness. There was great need for just governance internally as well as liberation and protection from external threats. Our times are not very different; we need the Messiah.
The question that Micah brings to us in his sixth chapter is worth giving attention. It is a question that matters, lest we waste time misfiring and going astray. Before you start the marathon, you need to clearly know the track map, know the way and the rules of the race. You may have drawn many plans, but to stop and ask Micah’s question could help refocus your plans to achieve much more and for longer lasting benefit. The question is: What does the Lord require? What does the Lord require of you?
The importance of this question today is augmented by the nature of our times – dynamic and fast changing. For example, at school then, it the teacher was required to dispense knowledge to her students, test them and give them feedback; a successful student was one that followed through that discipline and finally graduated. This graduate found a ready job waiting for him, and the future would be bright ever after. Gone are those days; today’s information is no longer in the custody of the teacher, but rather it is easily accessible in vast quantities through electronic media on TV, computer and mobile phones. Today’s teacher must break loose from the shackles of the old mould and herself, ‘What is required of me today?’ And the same process is required for all other marketplace participants, in business and in governance.
Many people love God and desire to honour Him. A deep reflection on what the LORD requires today is vital if we are to please Him in the year ahead and beyond. In your work and at home, among friends and in your technical sphere of influence the LORD requires you ‘to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’.
God bless you all.