A Word for This Hour - Micah 6:8

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, 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.

(NIV)

I was led to this verse just yesterday. I have read it many times before, and even wrote about it in seminary (which I am including in the StandUpForFaith.com Library here). It's an awesome verse and passage.

I believe this is God's word to our elected officials for this hour: Act justly (or do justice in NASB), love mercy (or kindness), walk humbly with your God.

Not to weigh in on too much political ideology here, but justice and mercy make the difference between Conservatism and Libertarianism. There are those who equate "true" Conservatism with Libertarianism, which I define as an extreme view of government uninvolvement is basically everything. This socio-economic "survival of the fittest" has no regard for people, or their inherent value as carriers of the image of God. You are literally on your own; I do not see how Christians can be political libertarians, while following Jesus' own directive to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, or even heal the sick. (Likewise, I see the difference between Conservatism and Liberalism as a legitimate disagreement over the "best," most "efficient" manner in which to provide justice and mercy, and whether the Government is always the best agent to insure it.) I consider myself a Conservative, not a Libertarian - but a Christian first.

Biblically, justice is the term mispat, and mercy is the term hesed, which is why it can also be translated as kindness (NASB). Sometimes hesed is also translated as lovingkindness - and when some some say that there is no grace in the Old Testament, I point to hesed, the OT equivalent of agape love.

Mispat and hesed uphold God's will and recognize the needy; they are both to be loved and done, felt and acted upon.

Walk humbly with your God. Over the years of working in politics, I served a couple truly great men, and several real "putzes." Their humilty and arrogance almost always was in indirect proportion to their accomplishments. It was very tiring.

Humilty demands obedience to God, careful attentiveness to his will, personal modesty, and true consideration of others. There is no place for pride, self-assertion, or any other form of hubris toward God, other people, or even oneself.

Leaders, elected officials - we need you to do justice, to love mercy, adn to walk humbly with God.

We need you to heed this word, because we want you to be successful. And I can imagine no greater recipe for success.

For my part, I am praying this over the leaders of our region.