ODJ: don’t quit caring

June 11, 2015 

READ: Micah 6:6-8 

This is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (v.8).

In the midst of the rain and cold of an icy winter in 2014, more than 800 illegal shack-dwelling families were evicted from their homes along the southwest coast of South Africa. Although the eviction followed a high court order to prevent further land invasions and had come after many years of wrangling between land owners and the city council, the timing and the method of the eviction caused a public outcry. There appeared to be a lack of compassion shown by the leaders involved.

Micah lived at a time when great emphasis was placed on acquiring wealth and when unjust leaders habitually oppressed and showed no compassion for the poor and vulnerable (Micah 2:1). Testing the Lord’s patience, the rich and powerful would steal from those who trusted them, seize their land by fraud or violence and cut short their inheritance (vv.2,7-9).

False prophets spoke only what the corrupt wanted to hear and wilfully ignored their wickedness (vv.6,11). Micah, on the other hand, put a stop to Israel’s self-deception and delivered a damning message from the Lord, charting the consequences for their selfish ambition (1:10-16, 2:1-5).

God, upset by the injustice, brought the full weight of His awesome presence to bear on those responsible (1:2-4). He sued them for breach of contract and violation of the covenant He had made with them through Moses (Exodus 19–24). The people responded by offering to bring sacrifices of calves, rams and rivers of olive oil as a sign of their repentance.

But all God wanted was for them to do what was right—to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). May He help us submit to Him and His just and compassionate heart today.

—Ruth O’Reilly-Smith

365-day-plan: Luke 2:21-39

MORE
Read James 1:27 for more on what true religion looks like and Philippians 2:4 for a reminder on how we should look out for others and not just for ourselves. 
NEXT
How have you become numb and calloused to the genuine need in your world? Soften your heart before God and ask Him to help you do what’s right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him today.