Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly

This morning we looked at rights versus responsibilities.  Rights are granted to us by our Creator — and responsibilities are also required of us by our Creator.  Today we find ourselves struggling with a plethora of rights, demands for rights that are contrary to the design and purpose of God.  As I have often shared, this is all generated by the actions in Genesis 3.  And we are susceptible to the allure and temptation of thinking of ourselves and demanding what we feel we deserve.  

I had a recent encounter with a credit card company where the card in my hand was being cancelled and I could not be verified as its authorized user.  The immediate temptation was to become louder and more strident on the phone in order to attempt to solve the issue, to get my way and my rights.  However, the lessons of this message were rolling through my head and instead I could honestly thank the vendor for their diligence in thwarting credit fraud.  Yes. it was it inconvenient.  Did it require a second phone call and more time to solve the issue? Yes. Was the person on the other end of the phone surprised and thankful? Yes.  The representative even stated that this isn’t the reaction they normally receive in these situations.  

Ah, so I was able to give a reason for the difference.  The words of Micah 6:8 rolled through my mind: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”  I cannot count the number of times in the past that I wish those words were in my mind as I faced vexing and frustrating situations, especially those over the phone with various vendors.  But going forward, Micah 6:8 will be thought of prior to those phone calls to remind me that “my rights” aren’t the all-important matter, but the name and glory of God is as expressed through me, His vessel.

There is another verse that God has brought to my mind often to help me bear up under the temptation in these situations.  It is Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  I wonder; what Scriptures God has brought to your mind to help you through these types of tempting situations?

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor