Devotions
Read Micah 6:1-8. In these verses, God almost sounds like a long-suffering parent. First, in instructing Israel to plead its case before the mountains, it’s almost as if God is saying, “I don’t even want to hear it.” Then follows the, “After all I’ve done for you,” portion of the conversation. Finally, “I don’t ask for much.” Israel has gone astray once again, and God reminds them that it’s not some showy sacrifice that will set things right. Instead, to live according to God’s will, the expectation is simple: to work towards a just and equitable world; to be kind in the way that God is kind to them; and trade pride and ego for humility. These requirements may be simple, but they are not always easy.
Of the three, which comes easiest: working for justice, showing kindness, or being humble? With which one do you struggle the most? How might the three requirements be connected or flow from each other?
Today, offer a prayer of commitment to doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly, asking God for the motivation and strength you may lack on your own.
Read Psalm 15. Here, the psalmist gives their prescription for holy living. On the to do list: aim for goodness, be honest, surround yourself with faithful people, and live in your integrity. Do not: talk poorly about people, hurt the ones you love, look for the bad in people, or use your resources in ways that harm. According to the psalmist, one who lives like this can stand strong.
Can you think of people you know who have lived in such a way? What did you admire most about them? How can we continue to strive for this way of life, even if we fail on occasion?
In prayer, ask God for the strength to continue doing your best to walk in God’s way.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. This passage is a bit tricky to follow. Paul reminds us that no matter how smart we think we are, no matter how much we think we know, we are not, after all, God. What some might call foolish – the Son of God crucified on the cross, saving the world by submitting himself to those in power, surrounding himself with the ‘least of these,’ – revealed God’s wisdom. God sees the world from a different vantage point than we do. The world would have us believe that wisdom involves having all the right answers and knowing more than everyone else. God’s wisdom involves humility and an understanding that any wisdom and knowledge we have comes from God, so there’s no reason to boast.
Think of a subject you know a lot about, something you’ve really studied. In what ways does that knowledge lead you a deeper understanding of God, of how God works in the world, and of how you fit into God’s story?
Today in prayer, ask for the wisdom to know the difference between what is of God and what is of the world.
Read Matthew 5:1-12. Commonly known as the Beatitudes, this portion of Jesus’ sermon in the gospel of Matthew tells us who it is that is considered blessed in God’s kingdom. Some of the beatitudes refer to dispositions: humility, mournfulness, meekness, and a commitment to justice. The others involve acts of mercy, peace, and justice. Jesus cares about who we are and what we do as his followers. Jesus goes on to say that those living according to his way may be looked down upon, made fun of, or even threatened. He insists that when that happens, we can be glad, because God notices.
Have you ever felt ‘reviled, persecuted,’ or had ‘all kinds of evil uttered against you’ on account of your faith? If so, how did you respond? Do you live your faith in a way that others would notice? When you look back at times when you have been brought low, how might God have been blessing you through that experience?
Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings that come from following Jesus and ask to be guided into a closer walk with your Lord.