May 13

Verse of the Day for May 13

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 KJV

The Key of Purpose · Day 13 of 31

Reflection · 4 min read

Purpose When Progress Is Slow

Verse seven is a man bargaining upward. Rams. Then thousands of rams. Then ten thousands of rivers of oil. Then his own firstborn child. Each offer is bigger, as if God must be impressed by size.

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

The answer is startlingly small. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good. Not a new revelation, but something already shown. Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly.

There is nothing fast in that list. Justice is done one honest decision at a time. Mercy is loved over years. And walking is the slowest way to travel anywhere. God did not ask for a sprint.

When progress is slow, we are tempted to reach for the big gesture. The dramatic fast, the grand vow, the rivers of oil. Micah says the Lord is not asking for that. He is asking you to keep walking with him at walking pace.

Think of the trader in the market who has dealt fairly for twenty years and still has a small stall. Slow, yes. But each fair measure was exactly what the Lord required.

We offer rivers of oil.He asks for a humble walk.

Slow obedience is still obedience.

You already know what is good, because he has shown you.

Carry this today

What big gesture are you offering God in place of a humble daily walk?

Pray

Lord, I keep trying to impress you with bigger offerings when you have already shown me what is good. Teach me to do justly in small decisions, to love mercy when it costs me, and to walk humbly with you at the pace you set. Give me patience when progress is slow. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Read Micah 6:7–9

7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8He 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? 9The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it.

Keep praying

See today's verse of the day

Reflection by Collins Asein, from the daily devotionals in the PrayerKey app. Bible text: King James Version.