Lent invites us to return to what truly matters. Through the prophet Micah, God says He does not delight in religious performance—nor in empty rituals or religious perfection.
What does God require of His people? To do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him.
Justice means treating others fairly, standing with the vulnerable, and refusing to benefit from systems that cause harm. In the Methodist tradition, this is the call to social holiness.
To love mercy—the Hebrew word carries the meaning of covenant love—is to show compassion that is not reluctant, but delighted. Lent reminds us that we have received God’s grace. As Methodists, we are often mindful of God’s grace for us, undeserved sinners. We show mercy because the mercy we extend to others flows from the mercy we have been given by God.
To walk humbly with your God is to live in daily dependence upon Him. We are not our own masters. During Lent, we learn humility as we fast, pray, confess our sins, and surrender ourselves to God, allowing Him to transform our hearts to be like Jesus, His Son.
Micah 6:8 reminds us that true devotion is not measured by what we give up for 40 days, but by how deeply we allow God to reshape our lives.
Reflection Questions:
(1) Where is God calling me to act justly, not just think compassionately?
(2) Is there someone I need to show mercy to instead of judgment?
(3) What does walking humbly with God look like in my daily routine?
