Micah 6:6-8 MSG How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin? 8 But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously — take God seriously.
Matthew 6:9-15 Phillips Pray then like this—‘Our Heavenly Father, may your name be honoured; May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day the bread we need, Forgive us what we owe to you, as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us. Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil’.” 14-15 “For if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you will not forgive other people, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your failures.”
Observation
All of the sacrifices mentioned in the Micah passage above were common sacrifices of the time. The pagan cultures offered food, animals and even human sacrifices to try to gain favor with their angry and inconsistent gods – gods who often modeled the worst of human behaviors. These false gods were many, demonic and demonstrably fickle, wrathful and woefully flawed. These cultures prayed and petitioned without expectation of blessing while hoping to avoid the wrath of their gods.
The Jewish faith required the sacrifice of animals whose blood temporarily covered over the sin of the people. The high priest had to repeat the sacrifice every year for the nation and individuals could bring an animal without blemish for personal atonement. These sacrifices were meant to foreshadow the permanent sacrifice to forgive sin that Jesus would make on the Cross. Unfortunately, the sacrifice became the fix allowing them to live as they pleased rather than living according to the nature and heart of God – an outward “spiritual” act replacing an inward spiritual submission. This is Micah’s point. God wants us to show proper respect for Him by living His love.
Impact on Me
I have always believed that submitting to and following the Lord is simple but not easy. As Micah says, “Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously — take God seriously.” Simple – because it only requires making the choice to submit to surrender and serve with my full heart, striving to be like Him, submitting to His instruction, considering others before myself, and accepting His assignments. This is not easy because doing this battles against my human tendencies – resenting being treated like the servant I claim to want to be, withholding forgiveness from those I don’t think deserve it, giving in to other manifestations of my pride, my desire to be recognized and praised for my achievements, my comfort, my control over my life – the list goes on.
“Forgive us what we owe to you, as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us. …For if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you will not forgive other people, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your failures.” So, as an example, this is simple but definitely not easy. This is Jesus speaking so I want to hear. I recognize that forgiving others’ failures – especially when that failure was hurtful – takes a hit on all the struggles listed above. I also recognize that holding on to unforgiveness only causes more hurt for me and can lead into the abyss of resentment, bitterness and hatred that will color how I relate to God and others. If I want forgiveness for my failures, the choice is simple, and, when I ask Holy Spirit to support and encourage me in hearing and obeying His voice, I will make it so.
Devotion
Lord God Almighty, Savior, Redeemer, Ever Constant Companion through life, God of My Hope, there is none like You. I ask You to help me show the deepest respect for You by my heartfelt and Spirit-led living of Your love, Your nature, through my life. Help me to live a simple life of submission and obedience to You, Your Word, Your will and purpose for my life. I want to take You seriously, choosing Your harder road rather than an easy self-pleasing life. I pray this all in Jesus’ name.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 