[This week's blogs are reflections on Reverend Joel's sermon from this past Sunday.]
There are things that God requires, and there are things that God requires.
Micah 6:6-7 lists the inquiries of the people of God, which can be summed up in a current colloquialism: "What do You want from me?"
An interesting question. Perhaps some of us are are asking the same question today.
"God, what do you want me to do?"
Well, according to Micah 6:1-8, the question has a multi-part answer:
Enter the LORD's presence (Micah 6:6). With what? With praise and thanksgiving (see Psalm 100).
Bow before the LORD (Micah 6:6). With what? With the confession of His exclusive status as Lord and King (Philippians 2:9-11).
Bring offerings (Micah 6:6-7). What sort? Gifts that indicate our gratitude to God (Psalm 90); prayers that show our contrition and repentance from sin (James 5:16).
Make payment for rebellious acts (Micah 6:7). How? Through taking hold of the Christ, our Lord Jesus who gave Himself so that we might be saved (Isaiah 53:5).
But, beyond these things, God requires His people live in a way that brings glory to His name in the earth. Reverend Joel reminded us of the Matthew passage where Jesus picks up the strain: "Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more important in the law- justice, mercy, and faithfulness! You should have done these things without neglecting the others" (Matthew 23:23). In other words, they were definitely fulfilling their religious obligations. But at the core of their being was a heart disobedient to what God said was the most important part of the law. It made their worship stink in the nostrils of God.
Lord, You have answered our inquiries by Your word. Please help us to appropriate Your word, and to live and walk faithfully- not merely fulfilling obligations, but demonstrating a joyful obedience in doing the things that really matter to You.
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