In 1977, my high school basketball team raised money by playing donkey basketball. If you aren’t familiar with the concept, donkey basketball is exactly what it sounds like. You play basketball on a donkey. To this day, trying to coerce that donkey to take me toward the right goal was one of my most frustrating experiences!
Funny enough though, it made the truth of Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT) become real to me. In it, God says, “…I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”
Our stubbornness often sabotages our lives more than we realize. But if we’ll submit to God’s love and leadership, He’ll lead us into a life better than we could’ve planned on our own.
Micah 6:8 gives us the prescription for this life: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
The word mortal in Hebrew is adam which means “human being.” God used this word to remind us He is our creator. He knows us, He knows what is best for us, and He knows how to lead us there.
The Greek word for good is towb, and it means “what is beautiful and best in every way.” When we do what we feel is good, things don’t always turn out great. But when we do what God knows is good, things turn out better than we could have ever dreamt they would.
Finally, the Hebrew word for require is darash, which means “to ask.” Now, there are two words God could’ve used here. Both mean require, but one insinuates asking, while one implies demanding. God used the word meaning “to ask” because He wants us to understand that ultimately submitting to Him is our choice. Will we follow Him into a hope-filled and happy life? Or will we struggle through our own stubbornness, just like that donkey?
The rest of the verse lays out our prescription. First, we’re to act justly. We’re to not only think godly thoughts, but we’re also to take godly action. Second, we’re to love mercy, because, as Mother Teresa said, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Last, we’re to walk humbly, realizing that it’s God’s kindness that calls us all to repentance.
When we do this, God makes us a beautiful promise. It’s found in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”!
As we submit to God, we’ll find: He always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him!
