“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

MEMORY VERSE: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. —Hebrews 13:20-21

CENTRAL THOUGHT: We have been clearly shown what God requires. Now it is up to us to respond with humility, repentance, obedience, reformation and amending of our ways before Him and before our fellowman. This alone will truly bring revival, renewal and healing.

WORD DEFINITIONS

II Chronicles 7:14 “I will heal their land”: heal the hurts of a nation; involving restored favour and often forgiveness.

Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins be as scarlet”: “Though our sins have been as scarlet and crimson, a deep dye, a double dye, first in the wool of original corruption, and afterwards in the many threads of actual transgression; though we have often dipped into sin, by many backslidings; yet pardoning mercy will take out the stain.” —Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Isaiah 1:19 “The good of the land”: To Old Testament Israel, the produce of the land of Canaan; to New Testament saints, the victory and blessing of the Spirit-filled life; the fruit of the Spirit.

Philippians 1:10 “Approve things that are excellent”: distinguishing what is different or superior. “Sincere”: pure; uncontaminated; judged by the rays of light. “Without offence”: blameless; not causing offence. “The day of Christ”: the end; the day Christ comes.

LESSON BACKGROUND

We have studied about the condition of Israel during Micah’s prophecy, the atmosphere of Jewish legalism into which Christ came, and the warnings and admonitions God sent to His people through the prophets and by His Son, Jesus Christ.
We have seen the model set forth to us by the disciples in the early church. We have evidenced the decay in our time when modern professing Christians forsake these vital principles.

Even as these lessons end, keep studying into the history of the Church of God. Study God’s heart and character as He reveals it in the Law and the Prophets. Study the life of Jesus Christ and the lives of Spirit-filled Christians through the ages. As you study, become aware of this common thread weaving itself through all the doctrines, people and events. Against the dark backdrop of worldly strife, carnal division among religious people, legalism, loose living, pride, self-interest, and greed, God’s standard of righteous and just living, loving-kindness and mercy to all, and humility still shines like a beacon.

—Sis. Angela Gellenbeck

DISCUSSION:

1. Response to God’s dealings: Now that we have clearly seen God’s requirements, what steps should we as individuals and congregations take to meet God’s standard?

2. Promises to the repentant: What has God promised to do when we repent and amend our ways?

3. Making it our life: Share ways we can live lives that are sincere, without offense, fruitful in righteousness, and well-pleasing in God’s sight.

COMMENTS AND APPLICATION

I must share what these lessons have meant to me personally. They have put within me a keener vision and a deeper burden for God’s people. Many times I have wept as I have prayed over these lessons and began writing the Scriptures given to me during prayer. Sometimes as I have studied the concordance and discovered the meanings to the words, I have literally lifted my hands in jubilation and praise at the wonder and the power of these Scriptures.

I really believe these truths will be transforming. All it takes is one individual in a whole group of people who will truly take God’s way, truly walk humbly with God, truly show mercy and justice in all of life’s dealings and to all people along life’s way—just one individual can change the attitudes, atmosphere, and direction. What would happen if we all began to weep and pray together that God would make us KNOW and LIVE these principles in a greater way than ever before?

I sincerely pray these studies have been a blessing to you.

—Sis. Angela Gellenbeck

REFLECTIONS

“Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly…” We recognize through the Scriptures that the Lord has a great heart of love for widows, children and the unsaved; for the weary, hurting, weak, wounded, struggling, and poor. He gave the illustration of the shepherd leaving the ninety and nine that were safe, in search of the one that had gone astray. He also brought the lesson of the man that fell among thieves, the priest and Levite that walked by on the other side, and the good Samaritan who stopped to render aid. He then told us to go and do likewise. Lord, help us to be involved when it comes to rendering aid. Wounds and problems can be intimidating, challenging, messy, demanding, and difficult, and there is a temptation to not notice and avoid them.

Lord, help us not to be too busy with our own things, agenda, or plans that we fail to hear the cry of the hurting. Jesus wept over Jerusalem; He saw the wounds and hurts of His people and endeavored to gather them. One of the greatest compliments came from those who were skeptics: “He is a friend to sinners.”

God showed His love through His Son; He also wants to show His love through us. Let this be our heart, mind, spirit, and life!

—Bro. Bob Wilson