I had some questions that I brought to the Lord in prayer, last week. I was in wonderment, and in desperation – asking the Lord what He wanted us to do? A very clear answer came to me, as I was reminded of: Micah 6:8– “He has shown you O man what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God”.
As we continue to look to the Lord for ways to apply those instructions in our lives, here are some insights:
THE WAY OF THE LORD
1) The way of the Lord has been made plain to us in HIs Word. We need to steadfastly keep on in the right and good pathway. It is a straight and narrow way that leads to life. It is not the way of the world. His way is the good and right way. It is a holy way. It is revealed through Jesus – in what He taught, and the example He left… We are to follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21). It is the way of the cross, and the way of suffering at times – identifying with Him.
THE TEACHINGS AND EXAMPLE OF JESUS
2) What did Jesus teach us to do, when we are reviled, persecuted, and falsely accused? Rejoice! That is just the opposite of what our natural inclination may be, at times. We are sometimes tempted to fight. Why can we rejoice? We will receive great reward in heaven if we are willing to suffer patiently, and respond to the trials of faith in a manner that pleases the Lord. In I Peter 2:19-20 it says that if we do well, and suffer for it, and take that patiently – this is acceptable to the Lord. If we have a good and clear conscience personally before the Lord, and yet we endure grief, suffering wrongfully, the Bible says that this is a pleasing sacrifice that is acceptable unto the Lord.
We are not ignorant of the enemy’s tactics. He often launches his attacks at us from strongholds in people of anger, hate, rebellion, stubbornness, jealousies, disobedience, etc… For example – unloving actions are done – and then, we may be the ones being accused of being unloving; we are despised, scorned, and rejected – and then, we are the ones accused of rejecting them; unwise choices and decisions are made, and we are the ones accused of being unwise; we are judged and condemned, at the same time accused of being judgmental; lies are spread and yet we are the ones accused of being untrue; and on and on it can go… Those are only a few examples.
At the same time, we must love the people who are at times channels of devilish words, works and attacks upon us. Jesus taught us to love others as He loves them. (John 13;34-35)
The Bible says that we are not to give place to the devil. We must keep protected with the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18) We need to be discerning, and resist the devil and everything that is of the devil, and the devil must flee. (James 4:7)
May the Lord help us all, as we strive to become more like Jesus in every way! We are reminded to follow Jesus’s example, and to walk in His steps…
3) The Lord’s requirements are the real requirements, not the man-made or enemy’s demands that are often unreasonable, and coming with accusations, criticisms, condemnation, and unreasonable pressures to conform to strategies and responses that are not Holy Spirit inspired.
4) Do justly. Determine to continue to do what is right, and take a stand for righteous living and conduct, even in the midst of opposition and attack. Justice is near and dear to the heart of God, because He is a God of righteousness and truth. The truth, and rightness needs to be embraced and adhered to. In the end – we know that the truth will prevail, and we are on the winning side. This is what pleases God.
5) Love mercy. Loving to pass along mercy and forgiveness, even as we have been forgiven. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7) The Lord’s loving example of showing mercy to the repentant is awesome. Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 136) Even as the Lord has been merciful to us, we want to pass along His mercy, and be channels of His mercy to other around us, whether they are deserving of it or not.
6) Walk humbly. Blessed are the meek… (Matthew 5:5) We are to humble ourselves in the sight of God. (James 4:10) God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6) Jesus said that He is “meek and lowly of heart” – that is the way of rest and peace. (Matthew 11:29) Humility is a gracious attitude that is precious in the sight of the Lord. (I Peter 3:4)
7) With your God. What the Lord thinks of us is really what is most important. We want to walk in the fear of God – not the fear of man. We want to live our lives to please Him and do His will – no matter what. He wants us to walk with Him – to walk in faith, to walk in the Spirit, to walk in love, to walk in obedience… etc. Remember that God is with us. (Matthew 1:23; 28:20) If God is with us, and for us, who or what can stand against us? (Romans 8:31)
