"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Sunday, August 27, 2023 - Day 239 - (Today’s Bible readings: Esther 3; Psalm 55; Colossians 4:7-18)
WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF YOU?
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
What does God expect of those He has redeemed in the blood of His Son? As we look at Micah’s answer, we must remember that we are to read individual verses, chapters, and even books of the Bible in the context of the entire Bible. The clear message of Scripture is that we are saved by faith and not by our works, our sacrifice, nor our gifts to God.
Micah’s answer was for those who repent and believe the promise that God will send the Messiah, and they will be redeemed from sin, death and the devil. In fact, Micah is the one who pinpoints where the Messiah was to be born:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." (Micah 5:2 ESV)
God expects those He has redeemed to act like it. We are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God. In other words, He wants us to treat others fairly, to be merciful, and to remember all that God has done for us. The key word is humility.
Heavenly Father, I humbly thank Your for sending Jesus to Bethlehem and then to the cross for me. Help me to live my life for you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!
Pastor David Paape
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