In Micah 6:8, we read: “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?”
Charlie fiddled with the zipper on his jacket. His head snapped up. What did the preacher say? He cringed. No way could he meet God’s requirements. His chin dropped to his chest, eyes squeezed tight.
He got away with little things. A quarter from Grandfather’s dresser. A pack of gum from the checkout...little things. No one saw him. Did little things matter?
He nearly jumped out of his skin when Grandfather patted his leg, smiled at him. Would he love him if he knew? No. Justice and mercy could never be his.
Wait. What did he say? He tilted his head, listening.
“No man whether rich or poor can meet God’s requirements,” the preacher said. Charlie’s mouth felt like cotton. “So God, the Father, sent God, the Son, into the world to fulfill the requirements of good. To take my place and yours for only God is Good. He is the One who gives us hope and forgiveness. Can’t earn it, can’t steal it--it’s a gift from God Himself."
Charlie tugged Grandfather’s sleeve. “I need to go down to the front, Grandfather. Will you go with me?” Grandfather’s eyes glistened.
“Of course, son.” They made their way down to the altar, Grandfather’s arm around his shoulders.
The preacher leaned down. “Yes, Charlie?”
“I want to do good, to love mercy and walk with the Lord,” he said. “I’ve tried but I mess up.”
“I understand, Charlie. The Lord Jesus understands, too, and He is able. Let’s pray and ask Him to be your savior and your Lord. He’ll always love you and never leave you. Is that what you want?” Timmy nodded, bowed his head.
Kingdom Thinking. I’m so glad the Lord Jesus fulfilled the requirements. I tried and failed. He promises never to leave nor forsake me and He loves me with an everlasting love. He loves you, too. Won’t you come to Him?
Charlie fiddled with the zipper on his jacket. His head snapped up. What did the preacher say? He cringed. No way could he meet God’s requirements. His chin dropped to his chest, eyes squeezed tight.
He got away with little things. A quarter from Grandfather’s dresser. A pack of gum from the checkout...little things. No one saw him. Did little things matter?
He nearly jumped out of his skin when Grandfather patted his leg, smiled at him. Would he love him if he knew? No. Justice and mercy could never be his.Wait. What did he say? He tilted his head, listening.
“No man whether rich or poor can meet God’s requirements,” the preacher said. Charlie’s mouth felt like cotton. “So God, the Father, sent God, the Son, into the world to fulfill the requirements of good. To take my place and yours for only God is Good. He is the One who gives us hope and forgiveness. Can’t earn it, can’t steal it--it’s a gift from God Himself."
Charlie tugged Grandfather’s sleeve. “I need to go down to the front, Grandfather. Will you go with me?” Grandfather’s eyes glistened.
“Of course, son.” They made their way down to the altar, Grandfather’s arm around his shoulders.
The preacher leaned down. “Yes, Charlie?”
“I want to do good, to love mercy and walk with the Lord,” he said. “I’ve tried but I mess up.”
“I understand, Charlie. The Lord Jesus understands, too, and He is able. Let’s pray and ask Him to be your savior and your Lord. He’ll always love you and never leave you. Is that what you want?” Timmy nodded, bowed his head.
Kingdom Thinking. I’m so glad the Lord Jesus fulfilled the requirements. I tried and failed. He promises never to leave nor forsake me and He loves me with an everlasting love. He loves you, too. Won’t you come to Him?