Do Justice

Stop.

Clear your mind with a few deep breaths. Meditate on the word justice. Let it be the sole center of your thoughts for a few minutes.

Listen.

[God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

Reflect.

This week, we will focus on this one verse from Micah in each devotion. We’ll look at one piece of God’s instructions each day. Today, we’ll look at God’s command to do justice. 

In Isaiah 1:16-17, God says “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” The prophets Micah and Isaiah both represent a long tradition of prophets demanding justice of God’s people. 

Isaiah elaborates on what Micah mentions. Justice isn’t fairness, equality, or sympathy. Justice goes beyond human ideas of what people deserve. Justice ensures that those who suffer most, who are easiest to forget, who live in greatest risk are always cared for. 

Isaiah says that justice is our work as followers of God. We are the ones who make ourselves clean in this respect – not that we forgive our own sins, but that we act to repair that which has been broken. God’s justice requires our fierce and compassionate action.

Pray.

I want to do your justice, God. Make me a powerful agent of your will. Show me those who need your love and make me bold to live in out in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carry On.

In your acts of service this week, how can you reframe “just doing something good” into “doing justice to God’s glory”?