1 Chronicles 29; 2 Peter 3; Micah 6; Luke 15
Micah 6 seems a strange place to land with all the great scripture reading today. On the heels of Thanksgiving, however, Micah’s question is a good one. He asks, “What shall I come before the Lord with?” (Micah 6:6) He asks this question right after recalling how the Lord had delivered and redeemed them. It is his gratitude that compels him to offer something in return. But, what could be good enough? What could be honoring enough? Micah considers offering 1000 rams. Or, he contemplates, maybe burnt offerings would be better. Perhaps 1-year-old calves? What will please the Lord? He is even willing to offer up his first-born son! Anything!! Micah quickly realizes that none of these are good enough for God. No, our material possessions, our children, or the work of our hands are not good enough for God. God requires the most precious thing about us. Our heart, our soul. That is what God wants. So, what is the best response to him? Micah echoes God’s call from Deuteronomy 12, which says, “to but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
To better understand these offerings of justice, mercy, and humility, we need to look to the Cross. First, justice was served through the punishment and suffering of Jesus. Second, God grants us mercy, washing our records clean through the shed blood of His own son. Finally, Jesus clothed himself in humility. Instead of claiming his birthright as the son of God, Jesus takes on humanity, subjecting himself to death, even death on a cross. I love the way Andrew Murray describes humility. He describes humility as “the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all.” Clearly, Jesus is the perfect example.
Murray, Andrew; Christian Book Series (2003-10-17). Humility (Optimized for Kindle) (p. 47). . Kindle Edition.
Sunrises, sunsets, kids giggling, sight, the sound of water making its way through rocks, changes in seasons, changes in temperature, the smell of the air that signifies rain is coming, light breezes, the multitude of creatures that roam this earth in so many ways; flight, crawling, galloping, swimming, prancing, sprinting, steadily pacing. The fact that Earth is a perfect distance from the sun, our air has the right amount of oxygen. Our bodies consume food and water as sustaining energy. Coffee, pizza, tacos, rare beef, spices and recipes from around the world. India Pale Ales, carbonated water, crunchy potato chips, avocados, and salsa. Bicycles, good running shoes, flip flops, polarized sunglasses. Parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, teachers, and the warm feeling that goes with the word “family”, whether through genetic or the various human relationships. Those who have sacrificed their lives for our country as well as those who have given their lives to further the gospel; we’re all recipients of this in some way.
For the joy that ice cream and treats bring to children; for the ability to watch them enjoy such things. For the truth filters that we’re given; for the truth we receive from God Almighty. Thankful that somehow in my wandering I realized God’s ways are good, that he cannot tolerate sin, that he sent his son Jesus to atone for our sin. For the cleansing water of baptism. For the Bible as a complete work of divine literature as a guide for our daily lives. For the Holy Spirit who speaks to us and gives us words.
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