He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8
The winds of war were again blowing across Europe in 1938. Songwriter Irving Berlin, a Russian émigré, had experienced war. The Russian Revolution had impacted his extended family, and he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the First World War. Yearning for a world where peace ruled, he dusted off lyrics to a song written two decades earlier and composed “God Bless America.” Singer Kate Smith sang it on Armistice Day, November 11, 1938, on her radio program, and it became a beloved anthem for Americans.
With wars presently being fought in Ukraine and Israel, American military outposts being attacked in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, and military defenses being used to protect shipping in the Red Sea from the attacks of the Houthis, Americans again yearn for peace.
The words of today’s verse from Micah are part of a courtroom-type setting where God is confronting His people for rebelling and breaking their covenant with Him. After reminding them of His care for them, He once again mercifully instructs them on how they may restore the relationship. He asks, “What does the Lord require?” The answer then, as now, is to “do justice, love mercy, and walk in humility with God,” all of which are founded in attitudes of the heart. One of the evidences of a right relationship with Him is internal peace, regardless if the world is warring.
Pray today for America’s military leaders, from those in the Pentagon to commanders of troops on the field, that their intentions would be to meet God’s requisite attitudes of justice, mercy, and humility.
Today’s Verse: Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 5:1-16
5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
