June 21
Justice
and Mercy
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.
Daily Steps
A peaceful interaction with the world requires the new believer to embrace God's core moral demands, which balance accountability and compassion. This verse provides the three essential requirements for living a life that reflects God's heart: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
The peace in this requirement is found in a balanced life:
Act Justly: "To act justly" means to treat others fairly, honestly, and impartially. This is a foundational element of righteousness and holiness (Day 167). When you consistently deal with others in a just manner, you build trust and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Love Mercy: "To love mercy" means to willingly extend forgiveness, compassion, and grace to those who have wronged you or who do not deserve it. This balances the rigor of justice, ensuring that your relationships are characterized by love (Day 162) and reconciliation.
Walk Humbly: The foundation for both justice and mercy is to "walk humbly with your God." Humility is the recognition of your own dependence on God and your own need for His mercy. This spiritual discipline secures inner peace and allows you to relate to the world from a place of spiritual balance, free from self-righteous judgment.
Your peace in the world is secured by balanced action. By maintaining the tension between justice and mercy while walking humbly with God, you fulfill the primary moral duties He requires.
Reflective Question
In a recent situation, did you prioritize justice (being right/fair) to the exclusion of mercy (extending grace)? How can you correct the balance today by performing a tangible act of mercy in that relationship while still seeking to walk humbly with your God?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency to favor one requirement over the others—to be either too hard or too permissive. I pray for the wisdom to act justly, the heart to love mercy, and the constant commitment to walk humbly with my God. Secure my peace today by helping me fulfill these requirements that reflect Your good, pleasing, and perfect will. Amen.
