Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Annunciation to Zechariah
Micah chapter 6
Micah 6:8, “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.”
God uses angels, prophets, common man etc…to convey his message. Priest Zachariah was a righteous man, faithful, just and merciful in his dealings. He was childless but that did not make him negative or angry. Angel Gabriel was sent with the news about his being blessed with a son in his old age while he was doing his priestly service in the temple.
In Micah chapter 6, God reminded the Israelites through the prophet Micah, about all the favors He did for them in the past. He had redeemed them from the Egyptian slavery, parted the Red Sea, protected them, provided for them in the wilderness, gave them faithful leaders like Moses, and eventually brought them to their Promised land. But still the Israelites were unfaithful to Him. Each one did what was right in his own sight. They gained wealth for themselves by cheating people. They practiced injustice. The poor were oppressed and were suffering in the community. They did not repent and were exiled to Babylon.
God created man with the purpose of being faithful to Him, to be just and merciful as the Master. We have to do what is right in God’s sight. We must seek justice, defend the innocent ones that are oppressed in society. We have to stand in the gap for the voiceless, who are robbed of their human rights and dignity. We must speak up against oppression on their behalf. Stand against violence and aggression. We must be a ray of hope for the hopeless and oppressed. We must be good stewards. We must walk in obedience to God, which is better than sacrifice. We must serve the Lord and love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. At the same time we must love our fellow human beings too. Always remember that we are redeemed because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Salvation is a gift to all who believe in Him, but is costly to the Provider. Jesus paid for our sins with His precious blood shed on the cross at Calvary. We did not deserve salvation. He was merciful and graceful to us. He died for us while we were still sinners. Therefore we must also extend mercy to others too.
Lord, create in us a compassionate heart, so that we will be loving and merciful to others. Amen.
Thought of the Day
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6
Saramma Chacko, Epiphany MTC, NY