Tuesday – December 7, 2010

Seeking Justice for Others
Read: Micah 6:8

“God, what do you want me to do?” Micah was a country preacher during the same time of Isaiah. He was answering this question for the princes, priests and people and in the process gave an excellent Mission Statement for us and the church. I like it because it has three easy-to-remember elements: do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your Lord.

DO JUSTICE

If you always do what is right according to God’s law and in God’s name, you won’t have to worry about this world, its rulers or rules. John Wesley founded our faith on this. Wherever the Gospel of Jesus Christ goes, justice appears. In our home, work and church life we are called to do justice and to treat people with kindness and fairness and how we want to be treated. Or better yet, how we want our children or grandchildren treated. One measure of society is how the least in that society are treated.

LOVE MERCY

When given a choice, we should always choose mercy over justice. We should hope that our God gives us mercy, when our time of judgment comes. Mercy goes beyond what is right, good or fair. Mercy is unmerited favor. The father of the prodigal son showed mercy upon his son’s return. Jesus was a mercy merchant. It was his stock and trade. It is what he expects of us. If justice doesn’t cover it, mercy will.

WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR LORD

If you are in the presence of God, you will walk with confidence in your decisions and actions. All prayers and thoughts need to begin with “God’s will be done”. There is extreme power in walking with your Lord.

Prayer: God, help us today and everyday to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you. Amen

Don Goodman