God’s Lawsuit Against Judah
Open Your Bible
Micah 6:1-16, Jeremiah 22:3, Colossians 3:12-17
BY Kaitlin Wernet
Scripture Reading: Micah 6:1-16, Jeremiah 22:3, Colossians 3:12-17
They say women love a man in uniform, but they may not have been talking about the Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, no one relayed this message to my kerchief-wearing, popcorn-selling, Eagle Scout of a little brother.
With socks to his knees and badges across his chest, he’d proudly hold up his fingers, reciting the Boy Scout motto every night before brushing his teeth. His newfound pack became his identity, and while it didn’t earn him a swarm of girlfriends, it certainly brought the shy boy out of his shell. He threw himself into first aid, emergency preparedness, environmental science, and camping, checking off as many merit badge requirements as possible.
In Micah 6, that’s exactly what the Israelites were hoping for: a checklist for how to please God. They had failed at manufacturing goodness for themselves, and their idols hadn’t produced any fruit. Assuming the answer was to work harder, they wondered when God would ever be satisfied with what they had to offer.
Israel wanted to earn their ranking in faith through burnt offerings, year-old calves, rams, and streams of oil, but even these expensive gifts were not an equal trade for righteousness. And the instructions God provided were not what they expected.
“Mankind, he has told you what is good
and what it is the Lᴏʀᴅ requires of you:
to act justly,
to love faithfulness,
and to walk humbly with your God.”
– Micah 6:8
Upon hearing these words from the prophet, I bet the Israelites were ready to tie their kerchiefs around their necks and get to work achieving their merit badges with God. But looking at the specific commands, we can guess they became a little confused when they realized everything had already been accomplished. Their assigned tasks were not primarily about their own sacrifice, strength, or anything else the Israelites could offer. They were simply called to mirror the character of God.
Instead of just giving them rules to follow, He pointed forward to the work He’d later accomplish on the cross.
We, like Israel, forget that the only merit we have is the blood of the Messiah.
We can only act justly because we have been justified through Christ.
We can only love faithfulness because He defined it for us on the cross.
We can only walk humbly because His footsteps went before us.
We can only be with our God because Christ joined us to Him.
The only thing left on our to-do list is to worship the God who does not change. May we fear His name alone.
32 thoughts on "God’s Lawsuit Against Judah"
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I’m going to turn on some praise music as well. However I need it to enlighten my soul right now. I have made some hard decisions and I have to go talk to some people today. Please pray for me.
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Praying!
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Praying for God’s wisdom and peace as you talk to these people.
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Thankful for this timely word ❤️
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After reading Kaitlin’s powerful devotion, I’m turning the praise music up real loud this morning. There’s nothing I can do to earn right standing with God. Jesus has done it all. So… What else is there to “do” but worship Him?! That’s all that’s on my to-do list.
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Yes! That was such a strong point today!
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“…And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.”
Lord, forgive us and our nation for all of our wrong-doing and our hearts towards “the least of these.” Allow us to lead others by example by the way we love, welcome, and serve these people, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.-
Amen
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Amen.
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Amen.
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Amen!
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I accidentally read Colossians 2 instead of 3. I thought this verse in Colossians 2:14 was appropriate for the verse in Micah 6:2. Colossians 2:14 says, “He canceled the record of charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
Praise God that Jesus was enough! He was enough to cancel the charges God had against us.
Thankful this day that even though I don’t deserve for those charges to be gone, Jesus took them upon himself anyways.
Have a blessed day Sisters! Xoxo-
That is one of my favorite verses because I get such a clear picture of what Christ’s total forgiveness looks like.
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What a beautiful narrative Tina! Thank you!
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Amen. Amen. Amen.
Oh Kaitlin, I just loved these truth filled words…
We can only act justly because we have been justified through Christ.
We can only love faithfulness because He defined it for us on the cross.
We can only walk humbly because His footsteps went before us.
We can only be with our God because Christ joined us to Him.There is nothing I can do in Truth, apart from Him.
He is my direction…
My hope…
My merit..Praising with a thankful heart my God, who gave His son, Jesus, that I, Tina, through His death and resurrection, need only worship Him and Him alone in the way I do life… to act justly, to show constant love, and to walk humbly with Him, my God..
Amen.Blessings Dear ones….with love.. xx
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this was so helpful this morning. I find it so easy to persue ‘meaning’ and ministry instead of resting in relationship.
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jude munday. I am learning that real ministry only comes out of intimate relationship with Jesus — pursuing Him before and more than anything else. When I sought ministry, I was continually frustrated. Seeking Him has brought about more of Him having more of me and then ministry flows freely out of that because He is free then to do whatever He wants in and through this earthen vessel.
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