Weekly Devotion - "Whatever is Right" - June 4, 2012

from Lenae, GEMS Training Manager

 

WHATEVER IS RIGHT

He has showed you, O man, 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.

Micah 6:8

God instructs us in Philippians 4:8 to think on whatever is right or in some translations, to think on whatever is just (ESV and KJV). We live in a world that does just that. In a Barna Group survey it was reported that, “close to nine out of every ten Americans (86%) describe themselves as ‘caring deeply about social injustice.’” Social awareness is on the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike.

It’s important to recognize the difference between awareness and action, between thinking about injustice and taking needed steps to right the wrong. God requires both! We must think on whatever is right and just and do what is right and just (Philippians 4:8, Micah 6:8).

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other” (Zechariah 7:9-10).

God repeatedly told His people to have concern for the weaker members of society, but they gave no thought to His commands. They refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry (Zechariah 7:11-12).

Injustice angered God’s Son as well. Jesus said to the spiritual leaders of that day that although they think they’re doing the right thing by giving a tenth of their spices, they’ve neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness and love of God (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42).

“Woe to you!” Jesus said to the teachers of the law and Pharisees. “Woe to you!” He says to you and me when we fail to act justly as the LORD requires.

Sometimes we draw a line in our minds for how far we’re willing to go or how much we’re willing to do as activists for Jesus Christ. God has drawn a line as well. Justice is His measuring line; righteousness is His plumb line (Isaiah 28:17a).  Jesus will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever (Isaiah 9:7). May His Kingdom and His will that we act justly be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Think on it: What’s the last time you thought to yourself, “This just isn’t right!” Ask God how you can move that thought into action as you seek to administer true justice.

Lord, to those who hunger, give bread. And to those who have bread, give the hunger for justice.

Latin American Prayer