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.

This is a famous verse that is absolutely powerful in its simplicity. It strips away all the trappings of religion and gets down to what really matters. It doesn’t ignore anything. “Justice” almost seems old fashioned these days, but it is absolutely essential for a functioning human society. That, frankly, is one reason for Donald Trump’s current popularity: people see the “lawfare” that has been waged against him as terribly unjust. And then emotions are brought in. Different translations say “mercy,” or “kindness,” or “faithfulness,” but they all say love. This isn’t just an academic, theoretical exercise, it’s something that involves our whole being. And then it brings in the vertical element, of walking humbly with God. That it would specify “humbly” immediately knocks out pride. Pride was the original sin of Lucifer, and it will turn us into little devils too, if we give in to it. The Mosaic Law is simply a much more detailed instruction manual in how to do the things in this verse. That said, we can’t do it right in our own strength, wisdom, and righteousness. That’s why Jesus came to give His life as an atonement for our sins, to enable us to do what this verse says. The average individual knows little to nothing about actually walking with God, but that’s what He desires for and of us. Jesus said it a little differently, when an expert in the Mosaic Law asked Him which of the laws was most important. “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.’” (Matthew 22:37-40) We cannot ignore God or mistreat our neighbor if we are to live the life, and receive the blessings, God intends for us.

My younger daughter frequently mentions the “vertical and horizontal” elements of life, and she is spot on. The Bible is amazingly consistent throughout in bringing up these two factors. You’d think God had something to do with it being written, wouldn’t you? In my case, I’m very familiar with what is written, so I’ve got to focus on putting it into practice. As I comment frequently, James 1:22 was certainly written for me! Coming back specifically to this verse, pride has always been a snare for me, thinking that I didn’t need my neighbor, or even that I didn’t need God. That is certainly the height of foolishness! I need to meditate on this verse and let it work into every part of my being, so that I may put it into practice and so please my loving Creator, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. It points up my weakness that I need such reminders! Help me indeed put Your word into practice on every level every moment, so that Your will may be done in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!