With Our God

READ

When I was a freshman in college, our college minister encouraged us to choose a "life verse" — a passage we could return to throughout our years of school and, hopefully, far beyond.

I didn't know it at the time, but the verse I chose would become an anchor for me whenever life got chaotic. I don't know about you, but sometimes I overthink the Christian life. I've been a Christian for over thirty years, and I still wrestle with what it looks like to walk faithfully with Jesus. Whenever I get stuck or find myself in a season of wrestling, I come back to that anchor verse as a reminder of who I am — but more importantly, who our God is.

And our passage for today happens to be that very verse.

Take a moment to read Micah 6:8:

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

REFLECT

I didn't fully understand this passage when I chose it as a college freshman. But what I've learned over the years is that when we've been forgiven, it changes us — it shapes us into people who do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Take a moment to reread the passage, and notice the word "with."

Too often, when I'm wrestling with "What's next?" or "How do I live the Christian life?", I get focused on doing things forJesus. Even this passage can be turned into a to-do list. But that's not the point. This verse isn't calling us to do big things for Jesus. It's not calling us to live on mission, walking for our God. It's an invitation to live on mission with our God.

Do you see the difference?

For those of us who have experienced the life-changing forgiveness of God, we have received an invitation to love what God loves and live on mission with Him. And this verse is a perfect picture of who God is and what a good life with Him actually looks like.

In other words, because you are beloved and forgiven, the God of the universe is inviting you to…

• …act justly, because He loves justice and acts justly.

• …love mercy, the way He loves mercy.

• …walk humbly with Him — not merely for Him.

So when you read Micah 6:8 today, I hope you can clearly see who our God is and what He is inviting you into. Remember that as someone who is forgiven, you are not being handed a checklist — you are being invited to walk with God and take part in the things He loves and is already doing in the world around you.

And when we truly understand that?

It takes the pressure off of us to "figure it all out," and instead offers us the freedom to live as forgiven people — joining Him in the work He's already doing: pursuing justice, loving mercy, and walking with His people.

Lord, let it be so.

RESPOND

Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you've read.

• When you read "do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God," does it feel like another list of things to accomplish? Or does it sound more like an invitation to join in the work God is already doing in and through and around you?

• Do you ever feel the pressure to "do big things for Jesus?" How does this passage speak to the lie that we have to strive for God's affection — affection we've already been given freely in Jesus?

• This weekend, take time to look for ways God is already moving in, through, and around you. Where do you see His love for justice? Where do you see His love for mercy in your life? And how can you join Him in that work by walking with Him humbly?

REST

Take a moment to rest in God's presence. Consider one thing you want to carry with you from your time in His Word, then close your devotional by praying:

Lord, You are a God who loves justice, mercy, and walking with Your people. Thank You for forgiving me and inviting me to walk with You. When I stumble or grow confused about what I'm supposed to do, would You open my eyes to the work You're already doing in my life and community? Would You help me live as someone who is forgiven and adored, rather than striving to meet some impossible religious standard? Thank You for Micah 6:8 and for revealing who You are and what is good — Lord, let it be so. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Today's devotional was written by Port City writer Brittany Salmon.