What The Lord Requires

One of the most persistent assumptions we carry in our faith is that when something feels off with God, the solution must be more. More effort. More sacrifice. More activity. More intensity.

That assumption isn’t new. In Micah’s day, God’s people were deeply religious. Worship was happening. Sacrifices were being offered. Outwardly, everything looked fine. But inwardly, something was broken. Faith had become disconnected from everyday life.

In Micah 6, the people ask a question many of us have asked in one form or another: “What can we bring to the Lord?” Their thinking escalates—from acceptable sacrifices to excessive ones, and finally to the unthinkable. The problem wasn’t sincerity. The problem was misunderstanding.

God’s response is strikingly clear. He doesn’t ask for more. He reminds them of what He has already made known.

“Here is what the Lord requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Justice, mercy, and humility. Not religious excess, but faithful obedience.

Justice reminds us that faith must shape how we treat others—especially the vulnerable and overlooked. Mercy calls us to love grace as much as truth. Humility keeps us walking with God instead of ahead of Him, aware of our constant need for grace.

This triad isn’t complicated, but it is costly. It asks us to move beyond appearances and allow God’s character to shape our daily lives.

The good news is that God never calls us to walk this way alone. We don’t live out justice, mercy, and humility to earn His favor—we do so because grace has already met us in Jesus.

God has already shown us what is needed.
The invitation now is simple: Will we walk in it?