Faith,
What does the Lord require of us? Micah 6:8 is pretty clear:
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.
Isn’t it a gift that God gives us clarity in times of chaos? When we look at all the warring factions of our state these days, none of them “require” this of us. The politicians and their parties don’t require this of us. Social media does not require this of us. Most employers don’t even require this of us. But at Faith Covenant Church, we are grateful that God requires this of us. It’s verses like these that bind us together while we walk with Jesus, even in our disagreements.
“But Pastor Brad, I’m happy to walk humbly with Jesus. I love mercy and justice, but my heart is breaking over what is happening in our world. What do I do with those emotions on the journey with Christ?”
Great question. The Word (Jesus) has a word for just such a situation — lament. God’s Word is no enemy of our fears and concerns. His Word actually guides us like a lamp for our feet to those places where it is safe and healthy to admit we’re struggling and sad. The Bible not only permits lament; it calls God’s people to lament:
“Cry aloud to the Lord… Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord.” Lamentations 2:18-19
“Weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15
Not only are nearly one-half of the Psalms, psalms of lament, but the Bible has a whole book called Lamentations. What’s more, there’s even a promise of hope from Jesus for all who lament:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
So this week at Faith, no matter what side of the political aisle you reside on, we’re going to seek to act justly, love mercy, lament, and walk humbly with our God. These are acts of love that God requires of us. They and He are good.
In Christ alone,
Pastor Brad
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Here are this week’s deeper dive videos: