Micah
6 reminds me of my first adult job. I worked at a boating hardware
store after high school, and through my first two years of college.
I started stocking shelves, learned shipping and receiving, drove
deliveries and worked the retail side too. I recently had a chance
to visit with the man that owned that company. He is in his 80’s
and still active and sharp. He and his wife invited me to dinner and
I eagerly accepted. I had one goal; to thank them for how they
helped change my life. Not only did they pay me to work there, but
they invited me into their home and family and literally taught me
that college was an option for me too. Throughout dinner they asked
me questions and I could see their delight as I told them my story.
In today’s chapter, God Himself calls the nation of Israel to
appear before Him. He too has some questions for the people. Micah
first gives the wisdom that can correct any course, “Listen
to what the Lord says“. Much
heartache would be avoided if we just did that one thing. But like
Israel, we think we know an easier way. God addressed the nation as
a judge in a courtroom, “Stand
up… For the Lord has a case against His people; He is lodging a
charge against Israel“. He
posed two questions that each of us should consider, “What
have I done to you? How have I burdened you?”
I believe a day will come for each of us when He will add, “Answer
Me“.
The
chapter then becomes a history lesson. God could have begun at any
point along the timeline, but His start is, “I
brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of
slavery“. The path to freedom
always begins with a godly leader, “I
sent Moses to
lead you“. And God reminds
us, “Remember
your journey… that you may know
the righteous acts of the Lord“.
Can’t remember any righteous acts? Perhaps you are you still
enslaved to the past?
How
do we express gratitude to God? Do we offer to pay Him? Do we
barter? “Shall I
offer my firstborn
for my transgression?”
He answers, “What does the
Lord require of you?“
Listen to the answer,
“To
act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God“.
This time God tells us, “Listen!”
He describes how sin robs from us. “Because
of your sins… You will eat but not be satisfied… You will store
up but save nothing… You will plant but not harvest… you will
crush grapes but not drink the wine“.
Friend, have you been unable to find joy and satisfaction? I
believe that is one way God reminds us that we are missing Him. Is
it time to let go of the past? Romans chapter 6 give us the good
news alternative to those that will listen. “But
now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of
God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is
eternal life.
For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord”
(Romans 6:22-23). What is your first job? Maybe you can be a godly
leader for someone else?