Before I read our passage there a couple things you need to know. The setting is a majestic outdoor courtroom, with God as the plaintiff in this covenant lawsuit. God’s covenant with the people of Israel is strained but the covenant holds even though the people exaggerate what God wants in worship. Balak and Balaam tried to bring destruction to Israel but God saved the people; and Shittim is the place the people finally cross the river Jordan to reach the promised land. There are three voices: Micah as narrator, God and the people of Israel. I will be naming the parts as I read in hopes of clarification. Read Micah 6:1-8.
Ben Powers is the name of a man that may not be familiar to you. But, years ago, he made headlines around the world. For many years, Ben Powers has worked for NASA. He has been working on the solid rocket motor design and is considered an expert in his field.
In 1987 the ill-fated Challenger blasted off for outer space. This was a special mission which included six astronauts and one school teacher, Christa McAuliffe. The astronauts were to carry out scientific experiments and Christa was to teach some special science classes from the Challenger once they were in orbit.
As you know, 73 seconds into launch, an O-Ring failed. A startled world watched in shock as the Challenger exploded and seven astronauts died, including the young school teacher.
Ben Powers risked the wrath of his supervisors and the scientific community at NASA when he gave his testimony before the Presidential Commission investigating the disaster. Ben Powers was the only NASA engineer who had opposed the launch. He was the only NASA engineer who had expressed concern about a launch in cold weather. He was the only NASA engineer to appear before the Presidential Commission and say that the order to launch had been a bad decision.
Because of his testimony, several key supervisors have been replaced at NASA and Ben was treated like a “leper” by those with whom he worked. He broke the code of silence, and former friends and colleagues keep their distance.
In an interview, Ben Powers was asked if he thought he and his family had paid too high a price for his testimony. Ben Powers was silent for a moment and then he said, “My commitment to Jesus Christ is the most important factor in my life. I did what God expected me to do” (Sermons.com, Robert Allen).
Have you ever asked yourself, “What does God expect of me? How much does God demand of me?” There are very few verses in the Bible that are better known than Micah 6:8. It is a verse that attempts to answer the question, “What does God expect of You?” Micah asks:… and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
When I read this line I see three words, justice, kindness and humility. “Theologically, justice is identified with the nature of God, God is just. Justice is a transformative virtue that seeks to establish or restore community, while aiming to balance personal good with the common good” (Feasting on the Word, A1, 294). Justice is always found in community, for it deals with the balance of power and the distribution of resources. For the world to be just we can never simply ask if I am better off, or how does this work for me. Rather justice demands we ask how does this action, these words, this idea effect the world around me? We are then tasks with putting those answers into the equation of action. For Micah tells us to do justice, not just talk about it. That means you take a stand and march when you feel led, support someone without, give ear or voice to a lost message of a worthy cause. This is how you do justice.
Kindness is one of those things that is natural but must be nurtured. I believe children are born kind, but then the world does not feel fair so they respond in unkind ways. That is why schools and communities are now embracing teaching children about kindness, like the 21-day kindness challenge started by a member in our community. So I challenge you to set a goal offering kindness each day. One act to benefit another without expecting anything in return. You also may want to extend a bit more kindness to yourself, because we can be our own worst enemies. If you do not feel kindly toward yourself, you cannot extend kindness to others. Kindness is both profound and simple. It warms the soul long after it is experienced. Kindness is at the very heart of what it means to be human; at the heart of the way God made us to be.
At a deeper level, love kindness can also mean loving kindness which comes from the Hebrew word hesed reflecting God’s loving kindness. We see God’s kindness most fully in the life and love of Jesus. For he is the incarnation of God’s love, the embodiment of loving kindness and our model and inspiration for life. Augustine an early church father wrote words to live by, “Love and say it with your life.”
Humility is very different from humiliate, but I think we avoid both equally. Our ego and fear can get in the way. Yet, at its best, to be humble is to see God working in your life and to become teachable. When you are teachable, when you are humble, you are making space for your Lord to show you the next right thing. Humility is trying to do God’s will to the best of your ability, at all times, in all places. This fits right in with the integrity proclaimed in our psalm passage, to walk blamelessly, do what is right and speak the truth from your heart. This means integrity with your words, your finances, and your relationships, all so we can abide with God. Even when your integrity causes you hurt, your relationship with God is more important. Much like Ben Powers was willing to be ostracized for speaking the truth to power.
Remember God has taken the people to court because they had broken their covenant with God. God was deeply disappointed in the people’s lack of justice. God does not want thousands of burnt offerings. Rather God wants the people of Israel, and us, to love God, love neighbor, and offer ourselves in loving service. This means action. The Lord wants us to DO justice, LOVE kindness, and to WALK humbly with God. God wants our action. I recently heard the phrase “Love into action” and I believe that is what God is asking of us. We are bathed in Christ’s love, and his love, moves us to action. Whatever action you take, stay close to God. Walk with God at your side, in constant prayer especially when things get tough. But with a humble teachable heart, one open and connected to God you can do anything in service to God’s kingdom.
What does the Lord require of you?
Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. Amen.
