Thoughts for another day

Nov. 19, 2012.

Today's verse: Mic. 6:8. He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Coming into God's realm requires we follow what He tells us.  In our Scripture above we see Him clearly specifying  what He requires.  First, He has shown us all that's good and fitting before Him, so no one can say he doesn't know; for He has instilled His breath in us and hence, the desires of His heart are also embedded within our minds.  Then God requires we do a few things in line with His desires; and He loves us to do them: for it pleases Him, besides also gaining His favor upon us. 

God wants that we be people who are just - in every shade of the word; which includes that we even love our enemies and pray for them.  He wants that we not do anything false nor cheat nor deprive anybody of their rightful dues also meaning that if we go to the market, we don't bargain beyond a point as to make the person in his or her desperate need for a sale to forego his or her rightful profit.  God also requires us to be merciful.  Jesus clarifies it when He narrates the parable of the unmerciful servant. To those reading this reflection and being given to understand, please allow, Mt. 18:35, to sink in, which says, 'This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart,' meaning that our Father in heaven will subject us to harsh punishment, which we deserve, unless we forgive from the heart!

Finally our Scripture says that we walk humbly with Him, our God.  It means we must remove all arrogance and pride from our lives.  We cannot be proud with people and be humble with God at the same time for how can we be arrogant at one time and humble at another?  We may struggle to be humble because of the thick 'hide of pride' which time has ingrained in us, but we must beseech our Father to give us the spirit of humility which His Son, though God, exhibited fully even to the washing of His disciples' feet.   If we follow these, His precepts, then His kingdom will become a reality, not only when we leave for our eternal homes, but also as we live among His people.