“No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
While a number of Bible translations use the word “require,” following this verse’s instructions perfectly is not a requirement for salvation. God has grace for us even though we are not perfectly obedient (Eph 2:8-9). Some translations instead use the word “desire” in Micah 6:8. God gives us the gift of salvation by grace. This verse simply describes what God wants from us in return: to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
To “walk humbly with God” is the basis for loving mercy, grace, and doing justice. Because of what God has done, we fully invest in healing the world around us through mercy, grace and justice. Cultivating our walk with God provides the power and passion for us to fully engage—it grounds everything else we do.
The “walk” metaphor is used often in Scripture to describe the overall direction one’s life is heading. In Deuteronomy, there are a number of references to walking in the way of the Lord, several Psalms refer to a walk being blameless, and 1 John encourages us to walk in the light. This poetic picture envisions a comfortable relationship of presence with God and a life that fits into that path (God’s will, plan, and purpose).
The adverb “humbly” moves us away from arrogance and the egocentric need to always be better than others, to the simple acceptance of the gifts that God has placed within us. The hymn “Trust and Obey” might come to mind: “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.” James 4:8 reminds us that when we draw near to God, He will also draw near to us.
Simply put, “walking with God” means that we can humbly speak or connect with God at anytime, anywhere, while we are doing anything!
In Joshua 1, the most important words God spoke to Israel’s pain/fears was; “I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. . . . The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:5, 9).
It’s was a promise, but not just of land, or victory over enemies, or peace, or milk and honey. It’s a promise from God of God. “I will be with you.” If we really believe the God of the universe is with us — really with us — in whatever pain or fears we face, the situation will not be as painful.
Undoubtedly, our God does everything He promises, in every circumstance, at all times. When life gets hard, He is wooing us to trust Him and to lean even harder on His inherent word.
The Lord promises to sustain us, and rescue us in times of our helplessness. Isaiah 46:4 confirms, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
The “Be Strong” ministry was birth under the premise that with God on our side we have everything we need to make it through life’s difficult moments. However, we can’t simply tell our hearts to be strong or courageous, but God can (Joshua 1:9). If we want to find strength when we feel broken, weak, or courage when we feel challenged or afraid, meditate on what God has said — and do whatever He says. Let His limitless promises, His guiding commands, His magnificent works, and His mysterious ways wash over your pain, fears, and insecurities.
One thing is certain, as we strive to know and carry out God’s will, strength and courage from outside of ourselves, it will well up inside of us, by the omnipotent power of God’s Holy Spirit.
The next time we find the words “be strong and courageous” in the book of Joshua is at the end of the first chapter. After Joshua had heard from the Lord, he went to deliver the message to the people. They responded to him, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:16–18)
The once fearful people became God’s means of courage for someone else — in this case, for their new leader Joshua, for their new Moses.
At the end of the day, I am thankful and equally grateful that we have a God that dispels the illusion of false pain/fear and who picks us up and carries us all the way through, when we can’t walk anymore!
I am praising God for the victory because on this day nearly 2,000 years, the world and the enemy thought it was over, but God said differently!
GOD you know the battle my family and I are facing, but we are declaring the same resurrection victory that rose JESUS from the grave over our situation! YES, will see Your victory for this battle is already won by the BLOOD!!
If Jesus has done before….He can and will do it again!
Hallelujah to the Lamb of God, “who is able to do exceedingly-abundantly above all that we could ever ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
4GIVEN 