Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. Psalm 37:18
It should disrupt us to think that more than one billion people in the world live in poverty, surviving on less than one dollar per day, and more than twenty-six thousand children today will die from starvation or a preventable disease. This information should truly break our hearts.
Injustice is all around us. People are starving. Many are dying from diseases that are easily preventable. Children are horrifically mistreated. Many are living in direct disobedience to God. If we pay close attention to what is happening in the world around us, we can become paralyzed by the torrent of bad news surrounding us. We learn from the prophet Micah that God does not, however, call us to remain paralyzed. He calls us to act against injustice.
In Micah 6, after lamenting the sin and rebellion of the people of Israel, Micah turns to God, asking Him what He wants Israel to do to turn back to Him. Micah then reveals God's first desire for His people: "do justice." God wants the Israelites to act on behalf of the injustice that they see in the world. This is what He is calling us to do today too. To act justly means to take a stand for things that are right and to become a voice for those who can't speak for themselves. God wants to use you to fight against injustice this week. Will you let Him use you?
The beloved missionary Mother Teresa is known for saying, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." She not only said that statement; she lived it. She dedicated her life to serving the poor and needy in Calcutta, India. Her quote is still true today. What injustice is particularly close to your heart? Take time today to pray for those being affected by that injustice that is close to your heart and then write out a plan to help. Sure, you may not be able to help 100 people today, but you can help at least one person.
Read Micah 6:7-13 (NLT)
Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?
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.
Fear the Lord if you are wise! His voice calls to everyone in Jerusalem:“The armies of destruction are coming; the Lord is sending them.What shall I say about the homes of the wicked filled with treasures gained by cheating?What about the disgusting practice of measuring out grain with dishonest measures?How can I tolerate your merchants who use dishonest scales and weights?The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence.Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth.
“Therefore, I will wound you! I will bring you to ruin for all your sins.
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