Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - What Does God Require of Us?

What Does God Require of Us?

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.

~ Micah 6:8 (NIV)

These beautiful, famous words of the prophet Micah outline God’s simple expectations of his people: “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). These qualities of the heart that lead to a God-pleasing life have stood the test of time because they reflect the heart of God himself. Throughout the history of his interaction with his people, God has longed for them to remember his goodness and generosity to his people and to live in response to all they know about the Lord.

Jesus confronted the religious leaders of his day, the teachers of the law and Pharisees, for turning worship into drudgery and for outwardly doing all the right things but inwardly neglecting to show justice and mercy. He harshly criticized them, calling them “hypocrites” and “blind guides” (Matthew 23:23-24). God desires that his people walk humbly with him, for as they walk with him, they become more like him. Jesus is the way (John 14:6). He is the One who came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). When a crowd asked him what kind of works God requires, he simply answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (John 6:28-29). When Jesus’ people follow him with their whole hearts, they develop hearts like his—hearts that are compassionate and swift to do justice.

Lord, as daylight fills the sky, fill us with your holy light. May our lives mirror our love for you whose wisdom has brought us into being, and whose care guides us on our way. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny


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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Devotion taken from NIV The Jesus Bible.
God desires that his people walk humbly with him, for as they walk with him, they become more like him.