“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” — Micah 6:8
What Is Happening in the Passage?
Micah is speaking to people who knew how to be religious. They knew about sacrifices, worship, and the things God had commanded. But God was showing them that He wanted more than outward actions. He wanted them to walk humbly with Him. The problem was not that obedience did not matter. The problem was that people could keep doing religious things while their hearts were far from God.
Supportive Scripture: “They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters.” — Jeremiah 2:13
What This Teaches Us About God
God is not asking us to pretend. He is holy, wise, good, and greater than we could ever fully understand, yet He wants His people near Him. He wants us to know Him, trust Him, and walk with Him. God does not only give commands. He gives Himself to be known.
Supportive Scripture: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8
What This Teaches Us About Us
We like things we can manage. A list feels easier. We can say, “I did this. I avoided that. I went to church. I read my Bible.” Those things can all be good, but they can never replace knowing God. We can learn how to look religious and still forget the One we are supposed to be walking with.
Supportive Scripture: “This people draw near me with their mouth… but have removed their heart far from me.” — Isaiah 29:13
How This Leads Us to Jesus
Jesus came to do more than teach us how to behave. He came to bring us back to God. Sin had separated us from Him, but Christ died so that sinners could be forgiven and brought near. Through Jesus, we are not only given a better life. We are brought into fellowship with God Himself.
Supportive Scripture: “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God.” — 1 Peter 3:18
What This Means for Our Hearts
When we read the Bible, pray, obey our parents, tell the truth, or go to church, we should remember why. We are learning to walk with God. He is not just watching whether we checked the right boxes. He is teaching our hearts to know Him, love Him, and obey Him because we belong to Him.
Supportive Scripture: “My soul followeth hard after thee.” — Psalm 63:8
Words to Know
Communion means close fellowship with God—knowing Him, walking with Him, and living near to Him.
Humble means remembering that God is great and we are dependent upon Him.Obedience means doing what God says because we trust Him and belong to Him.
Read another edition: Adult devotional · Formation Edition