Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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God’s call for true freedom

Bible Reading: Micah 6: 1-8

Key verse: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
 
DEVOTION

In Micah chapter 6, the Lord brings forth His case against the Israelites. Despite His love, care and affection for His people, the Israelites choose to walk away from the Lord. The anguish and pain felt by the Lord in being treated unfairly is evident in the way He asks the Israelites, “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me” (Micah 6: 3). As we continue reading the chapter, the Lord reminds His people of the many ways in which He has protected and taken care of them. He gave them leaders to guide them, and protected them from their plotting enemies. Yet the Israelites show no gratitude. The chapter also reminds us that the Lord does not require big showy sacrifices or expensive gifts in return but just that we act in the ways the Lord wants us to with mercy and humility. 
As simple as it sounds, actions which are righteous in the eyes of the Lord are not easy and humility and mercy does not come easily to any of us. When things around us tend to go bad, we tend to lean on our understanding which is devoid of empathy and mercy. We fail to put ourselves in others' shoes to see how it feels as they journey through their circumstances and pain. Our Lord is a merciful and just Lord, who treats us with love, mercy and compassion. If that were not the case, we would have perished a long time ago. Yet, most of the time, we do not extend that compassion and mercy to those around us. Through the prophet Micah, the Lord reminds us that our true calling lies in walking with our Lord with humility and mercy. It is at that point we become one with God and attain true freedom. 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, in Your compassion and mercy, look not upon our transgressions but envelope us with Your love and goodness. Help us to walk with You humbly and to remember Your goodness all the days of our lives. Amen. 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4: 1-2


Susan Cherian Varghese
Epiphany MTC, NY

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