Friday 4/24

Into the Wilderness (week 2) Day 5

Before you read God’s Word today, ask for His help by praying this short prayer:
Lord, quiet my heart and settle my mind. Help me set aside the distractions and busyness around me. Let Your Word do more than fill my mind with knowledge; let it change my heart. Show me what is true, correct me where I need it, and guide me in how I should live. Lord, help me not only to hear it, but to receive it and obey it. Draw me closer to You through this time and continue growing me to live like Jesus. Amen.

Micah 6

The Lord’s Case Against Israel

[1] Listen to what the Lord says:

“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;

let the hills hear what you have to say.

[2] “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;

listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.

For the Lord has a case against his people;

he is lodging a charge against Israel.

[3] “My people, what have I done to you?

How have I burdened you? Answer me.

[4] I brought you up out of Egypt

and redeemed you from the land of slavery.

I sent Moses to lead you,

also Aaron and Miriam.

[5] My people, remember

what Balak king of Moab plotted

and what Balaam son of Beor answered.

Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,

that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”

[6] With what shall I come before the Lord

and bow down before the exalted God?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,

with calves a year old?

[7] Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,

with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?

Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,

the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

[8] He has shown you, O mortal, 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.

Israel’s Guilt and Punishment

[9] Listen! The Lord is calling to the city—

and to fear your name is wisdom—

“Heed the rod and the One who appointed it. 

[10]Am I still to forget your ill-gotten treasures, you wicked house,

and the short ephah,  which is accursed?

[11] Shall I acquit someone with dishonest scales,

with a bag of false weights?

[12] Your rich people are violent;

your inhabitants are liars

and their tongues speak deceitfully.

[13] Therefore, I have begun to destroy you,

to ruin you because of your sins.

[14] You will eat but not be satisfied;

your stomach will still be empty. 

You will store up but save nothing,

because what you save  I will give to the sword.

[15] You will plant but not harvest;

you will press olives but not use the oil,

you will crush grapes but not drink the wine.

[16]You have observed the statutes of Omri

and all the practices of Ahab’s house;

you have followed their traditions.

Therefore I will give you over to ruin

and your people to derision;

you will bear the scorn of the nations.”

Reflection:
Reread (v. 8) 

“To act justly” calls us to live with integrity and fairness, to stand up for what is right even when it’s uncomfortable. It means caring about how our choices affect others and refusing to ignore injustice around us.

“To love mercy” goes deeper—it’s not just showing kindness when it’s convenient, but developing a genuine compassion for people. It’s choosing forgiveness over bitterness, grace over judgment, and love over indifference.

And “to walk humbly with your God” ties it all together. It’s a daily posture of dependence—recognizing that we don’t have it all figured out and continually seeking God’s guidance. Humility keeps our justice from becoming harsh and our mercy from becoming self-serving.

PRAYER FOCUS: Lord, expose rebellion in us even when it sounds respectable. Show us where pride, envy, comparison, and self-will have dressed themselves up in spiritual language. Teach us to humble ourselves before You, to honor Your holiness, and to walk in submission, contentment, and grace in your ways.