What Does the Lord Require of Us?

Exodus 30:23-25: “Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, [24] And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: [25] And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.”

God is holy and perfect. He desires His children to obey His instructions completely. Every instruction God gives is precise and exact in the formulation. He gave specific instructions when He instructed Noah to build the ark. He instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant according to His prescribed and exact measurement and containment. 

The above text contains instructions on how to make an “oil of Holy ointment” to serve as an anointing oil on the furniture in the Tabernacle. The exact amount and combination of ingredients were given to guide Moses and the children of Israel to know what pleases and glorifies the Lord.

If our perfect and gracious God demands an exact formulation and the use of the best and most suitable materials, His requirement for His children should be no less. The Lord considers us more precious than objects, buildings, and materials. We have eternal value that comes from God.

Micah 6:6-8: “Wherewith shall I come before the LORD and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? [7] Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? [8] 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?”

The Prophet Micah mentions God’s specific requirements for the children of Israel. What he realized was a surprise to all. Let us first consider the things that God does not need:

1.It is not about how we position ourselves in the act of worship.

2.It is not about the quality of our offering.

3.It is not about the freshness of our gift.

4.It is not about the number or the quantity. 

5.It is not about the sacrifice of what is precious to us.

6.Finally, it is not about the payment or the doing of indulgences to satisfy the demands of the law.

God has revealed to the Prophet Micah what He requires. They are to:

1.Do justly - be just in all our actions and decisions. It includes the life of righteousness. 

2.Love mercy - be constantly mindful of the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness.

3.Walk humbly with God - be humble in our character, attitude, and behavior at all times. It includes being aware of God’s presence in our daily lives.

God is not pleased with material things that have no eternal value. He requires the internal qualities not made possible by us but only by the presence and works of the Holy Spirit in us. It is not the doing of the works of the law to prove how good we are. But it is all about the outworking of the faith of Christ through us. 

Our Prayer today:

Lord, we have been taught to obey and fear the law. Because of this, we feel so burdened and forced to obey and follow the law. 

We realized that it is not the way to experience true spiritual fulfillment. We do not have to be burdened because you have given us your faith and the Holy Spirit to work through us. 

Help us, oh Lord, to enjoy Your grace and to trust in You completely. We ask all these in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!