What Does God Require Of You?

– Ponderings:

I was angry yesterday afternoon. Someone sent a scam email in my name. The email said I was asking for gift cards to be purchased and then outlined a process for removing the security strip and photocopying the front and back of the card. I hope no one reading this responded (but if so, contact your credit card company and bank immediately)! As soon as I found out, we posted the scam alert on Facebook and sent an email blast.

I was angry because whoever sent the email was (and is) attempting to steal money from caring, giving people. I was angry because I’m sure those setting up this scam have done it before and will do it again. I was angry because not only did they use my name, but they used the title “Reverend” in their scam, no doubt intentionally.

“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.

The prophet Micah was angry. About 2,500 years ago, in Micah’s time, people took advantage of others to benefit themselves. Human greed, pride, selfishness, and disregard for others are nothing new. Micah preached against their actions and even gave concrete examples of right and wrong. Finally, in Micah 6:8, he summarizes how they – and we – should live in one sentence. What does God require of you? Act justly, love mercy or kindness, and walk humbly with God.

We are still in Lent, the time that invites us into a holy pause—a season of reflection, repentance, and realignment. We ask ourselves questions about our faith and how we can make our faith real in our lives. What does God require of us? Micah 6:8 cuts through all the noise with stunning simplicity: God is not looking for grand gestures. He wants our lives.

The prophet lays out three essentials. First, act justly when dealing with others. Do our daily choices reflect fairness, compassion, and integrity toward all people? Second, love mercy or kindness. Don’t just show mercy, but love it. To love mercy means we delight in forgiving and being kind, even when it’s hard. Third, walk humbly with God. Lent reminds us we are dust, and yet deeply loved. Humility means setting aside pride and the belief that we’re always right and others wrong; it’s an honest, grateful posture of walking with God—not ahead of Him, not behind Him, but with Him.

I’m still angered by injustice … including the attempt to take advantage of others. Micah reminds us that it’s okay to be angry as long as our anger doesn’t take us to a place where we forget what God requires of us. It isn’t an easy balance, but it helps to remember that the same Jesus who cleared out the Temple by forcibly driving out those stealing from others also prayed “Father, forgive them” from the cross.

Prayer: Lord, in this Lenten season, quiet the noise around me.

Help me to act with justice, to love mercy deeply, and to walk humbly in step with you. Shape my heart to reflect yours. Amen.