Three Empowering Virtues – Part One

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6: 8

A tree can be identified by the fruit it bears. So a true believer can be identified by the fruit he or she bears. The succulent fruit of justice, mercy, and humility are fruit born only by a child of the Lord.

Jesus spoke of “justice, mercy, and faith” and said of them we “ought to” do these things.

Visitors to our nation’s capital enjoy the beauty of the Library of Congress Building.  In it are beautifully decorated alcoves providing reading rooms. The various alcoves are dedicated to different disciplines: art, history, science, philosophy, and religion.  Each alcove has a distinctive design and motto.  The committee responsible for choosing the motto for the religious alcove requested prominent ministers to make suggestions. The one chosen: “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

When President Jimmy Carter took the oath of office as our nation’s leader he quoted the prophet Micah: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

At a time in the life of ancient Israel when moral depravity and religious decadence corrupted the people, God sent forth four prophets simultaneously to preach to His people. 

Amos and Hosea were His heralds in the North.

Isaiah and Micah sounded forth the truth in the South.

Amos preached justice.

Hosea struck the note of love.

Isaiah called for reverent, humble fellowship with God. 

Micah gathered the gist of all three and summarily said, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, and walk humble with your God?” (6:8).

Three virtues are mentioned in our text that are described by God as “good.” It should also be noted they are required of us by God.  Jesus confirmed this when He said of them we “ought to” do them, meaning it is good for us to do them. 

Start today to practice the three one at a time. Following are four more posts on the three.