He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address challenged every American to contribute to the public good. When he spoke the words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”, he was encouraging not only America but all who would listen to look close to home to see what can be fixed before trying to change the world. It was a bleak time in 1961 when Kennedy took office as the Cold War was ongoing and nuclear threat was looming. Kennedy was offering a way to experience a better future. However, here we are 63 years later, and humanity hasn’t changed. We have a new Cold War, and the threat of Nuclear war is looming.
The prophet Micah served God during a bleak time in Israel’s history. The Assyrian empire had arisen against Israel and Judah and succeeded in destroying the northern tribes of Israel. The people of God were scared and afraid for the future. Had God abandoned them, and if so, what did they need to do for God to be happy with them?
Micah shares a simple truth. God had already revealed precisely what He does and does not want from His people. We cannot hope to appease God by working our way into righteousness or sacrificing others for our sins. Micah listed the three principles God asks of His people: to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him.
To do justice is not merely appreciating justice expressed in the laws of the land but for us to do justice individually. Our actions reflect our beliefs. God wants His people to reflect His character; He is a just God, so His people should want to bring justice to their communities. We are to seek out and support the broken, liberate the oppressed, and rescue the downtrodden.
Micah also reminds Israel that God desires people to love kindness. Kindness is not merely a brief concept we can add to our lives; it is something we are to love and cling to. Kindness demands that we live charitably, speak peaceably, and serve others passionately.
Finally, Micah reminds us that God desires people to walk humbly with Him. Micah reminds us that God is in heaven, and we are on Earth. We do not live and exist solely for our own glory; instead, we live to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We must humbly understand that we are not the centre of the universe, but we have the tremendous opportunity to share about the One who is that centre.
Kennedy’s words were inspiring but relied on interaction with those who loved God and those who could care less. His concept of making inward changes was noble, but if our goal is to make life better, our inspiration must come from words spoken by a higher authority, the One that all will bow down before.
When life gets so complex that we fear what will happen next, we must remind ourselves of the basics of faith. We should do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly before God.