Today’s Scripture: Micah 6:8
People who know me know that I am an avid fan of Judge Judy. She runs one tight courtroom. She won’t accept hearsay when trying cases (because the witness isn’t present to confirm what he said); and, even if she doesn’t like a certain person, she does her best to judge fairly, using the law as the basis for her judgments. I, on the other hand, am too quick to judge people who appear on her show. If they walk, talk, or dress a way that I don’t like, I secretly hope she will rule against them—regardless of what the law says—simply because I don’t like how they look or act.
So, here’s my dilemma—if I’m quick to judge people on a television show, I probably do the same thing in real life. Maybe you do, too.
The Hebrew meaning of Micah’s words sheds more light on the requirement to “act justly.” God is instructing us to act morally right toward everyone while we possess a sense of right and wrong. We are not simply to judge with justice. We are to ACT justly. His mandate moves us out of the courtroom and into the street, the store, school, our workplace, church, and home.
Everything we do must be just and fair—even toward people we don’t like. Try living like this for one day and watch how God refines your life.
- What evidence is in your life that shows you act justly?
- Where is it easy for you to act justly. Where is it the most difficult?
Amen, Amen, Amen It is hard but it is fair.