What Does the Lord Require of Us?

“If that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.  And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would
benefit it.”  —Jeremiah 18:8-10

How does a nation corporately turn from its evil?  How does a nation corporately do evil?  In a nation of more than 270 million people there will always be a certain number of citizens doing evil. How much is too much for God?  Not everyone in our country has a relationship with Christ, so can we ever expect that evil will not be done?

These are troubling questions. Yet, we can find answers in Micah 6:8 that provide a lens to view today’s events as we pray for America. “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?”

God prescribes a three part definition for a nation to do “what is good” in His sight.

Do Justly.  Justice is the quality of being righteous or fair—seeing that people receive what is morally right, fair and appropriate. Justice also includes the concept of upholding law and order, as in the work of police, judges, and the courts.  For over 200 years our judicial system has been based upon Judeo-Christian values and principles.  Our founders understood how important it was for an external, unchanging code of ethics, derived in great measure from the Bible, to rule our judicial system.

One assault on justice that other countries are experiencing is when Muslim politicians, officials and judges move into power and begin to insert Islamic “sharia” law, a harsh system of law derived from the teachings of the Koran.  America has already had one congressman swear an oath to the Koran as he began his service to the Congress.  We need to intercede and win our Muslim neighbors to Christ; an even more intense spiritual battle is coming.  We must prayerfully guard Judeo-Christian justice in this country.

Love Mercy.  Mercy has an emotional element that is a compassionate concern for those that are in need.  We must pray that God would protect us as a nation from becoming emotionally desensitized to the legitimate needs of others.  Studies continue to show that one of the biggest influences upon the minds of our children which inhibits them from developing hearts of mercy is violent video games, now accessible even via cell phones.  H. R. Bill 5990 introduced by Rep. Jim Matheson (D-UT) is an attempt at preventing minors from purchasing these types of games.  Efforts such as Rep. Matheson’s need to be encouraged and covered in prayer.

Walk Humbly.  The need to humble ourselves and rely on God is the single most important element established by our founding fathers which enabled the success of these United States.  Our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust,” was printed on U.S. coins because one man,  Rev. M. R. Watkins from Ridleyville, PA, wrote to the Secretary of Treasury on Nov. 13th 1861 stating, “…This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed.  From my heart, I have felt our national shame in disowning God....”  It would be hard to say it any better.  We must continue to intercede for all in authority and for individuals like Rev. Watkins as they labor to lead us as a nation into humility.

As we consider how we can tip the scales from corporate evil to doing “what is good” in God’s eyes, we must earnestly pray, speak out, and take action to preserve our Judeo-Christian judicial system.  We must fight for policies of justice and mercy on our knees, and through humble, persuasive action.  We need to Get America Praying!

—Dave Kubal serves as President / CEO of Intercessors for America