Daily Reading: 29 January
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
More than a soundbite
Something to read
Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for the Lord has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel… He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
- Micah 6:2, 8.
Something to think about
I wonder if the prophet Micah would be frustrated today that his three-fold expression of faithful living, has become a popular soundbite for action-oriented Christians, who may not pay much attention to the rest of his prophecy – I hold my hands up first!
The verses right before it give us a bit of context: the Lord is bringing a case against his people, that despite lavishing grace and blessing on his people, they still act as if he makes impossible demands of them. They still imagine that he asks for vast numbers of burnt offerings, lavishly expensive gifts of oil, and even the sacrifices of children to keep him happy, like the gods of the nations around them. No-one could afford to please this god, they shrug, so what’s the point in trying?
Yet God has already told them what a pleasing life looks like, and it does not depend on being rich! A life of justice, kindness and humility is not a particular flavour of Christian living; nor is it an optional extra for those with middle-class guilt. It’s the baseline response of human beings to the God who treats us with such generosity and grace. It’s not a diversion on the journey of faith, it’s the main road.
Something to do
Sign the East Africa Hunger Crisis petition, and share it with others in your church. Use it as an opportunity to demonstrate that taking action for justice is an intrinsic part of your faith.
Something to pray
God who speaks, thank you that you have shown us what it means to live a good life. Help me to lay aside my preconceptions about what you ask of your people, and do as you have really asked. Amen.
Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones