“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?”
(Micah 6:8)
Multiple passages throughout Scripture urge us to seek the Lord. One such verse is found in 1 Chronicles 16:11, “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” And our text in Micah 6:8 details what God requires from those who earnestly seek Him—“to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” The Lord has made it clear what He expects, but the distractions of life, the pursuit of earthly desires, and hypocrisy often obscure this truth.
Some Christians make an effort to seek God but only do so half-heartedly. Like those who try to serve two masters, their loyalty to God is hindered by their ongoing pursuit of earthly desires. Scripture warns against this kind of feigned devotion. In Revelation 3:1 we see an example of those who have the appearance of life but lack the spiritual vitality that true faith in Christ brings. Their seeking is in vain because it lacks the sincerity that God requires.[1]
Others make the mistake of seeking God among traditions and customs rather than in the truth of His Word. As Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in Matthew 15:9, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” so too does He call out those today who substitute manmade practices for a true relationship with Him.
Still some, like Esau, seek too late. Hebrews 12:17 tells us that Esau “found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” This serves as a stark reminder that there is a season for seeking God. In Luke 13:24-25, Jesus speaks of those who will seek to enter the kingdom but will be unable, for the door has been shut. The urgency of seeking God not only sincerely, but also early, cannot be overstated.
And then tragically, many do not seek God at all. They sit idle, wasting their days without a thought of the Lord. Jeremiah 2:32 warns, “Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” Only those who earnestly pursue God will find Him—not the idle, apathetic, or unbelieving.
So how should one seek the Lord? The Bible provides clear guidance:
We Must Seek Him Early. Proverbs 8:17 promises, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” There is great wisdom in seeking God in the days of our youth, before life’s distractions and temptations harden the heart. The story of Josiah, who sought the Lord as a young king (2 Chronicles 34:1-3), and Timothy, who knew the Scriptures from his childhood (2 Timothy 3:15), show the blessings of early devotion.
We Must Seek Him Sincerely. Deuteronomy 4:29 promises, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Insincere, half-hearted seeking will not be rewarded. David, a man after God’s own heart, declared in Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” God honors those who seek Him in truth.
We Must Seek Him Zealously. Precious things are not easily attained. Proverbs 2:4 instructs us to seek wisdom “as silver” and search for it “as for hidden treasures.” If we pursue the things of God with the same fervor that the world pursues wealth and success, we will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
We Must Seek Him Wisely. Recognize that without God, we are nothing. Even if we were to gain the whole world, it would be worthless without God’s favor. David’s words in Psalm 132:4 capture this resolve: “I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, until I find out a place for the Lord.” A deep awareness of our need for God sharpens our desire to seek Him earnestly.
We Must Seek Him Continually. Our pursuit of God must be unrelenting. 1 Chronicles 16:11 exhorts us to “seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually.” There can be no resting until we find Him. Perseverance in prayer, meditation, and obedience is essential, and though the wait may be long, comfort and reward will surely come.
We Must Seek Him Truthfully. Our seeking must follow the good and ancient paths of Scripture. Jeremiah 6:16 instructs, “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Our pursuit of God must be according to His Word, not the customs or traditions of men.
When we seek God in this way, we discover the rich, abundant life, both temporal and eternal, that God promised His children. While the world seeks to preserve physical life, God promises us something far greater—spiritual life that is full of joy and eternal in nature. As Isaiah 55:3 declares, “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.”
Contemplations:
- The Earnest Seekers. In reflecting on Micah 6:8, I recognize that seeking God requires both intent and action. God has shown me what He desires: justice, mercy, and humility. It is not enough to appear religious; I must be genuine in my desire to pursue Him. As I seek Him, I remember the promise of Proverbs 8:17: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
- Avoiding the Distractions of the World. I’m reminded daily of how easily I can be distracted by the world’s pursuits—wealth, honor, and comfort. The world offers many enticing promises, but none of them compares to the eternal treasures found in Christ.
- Seeking Sincerely, Finding Peace. God knows the condition of my heart toward Him, and unless I seek Him sincerely, I seek Him in vain. As Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” It is not enough to go through the motions of religion; I must pursue Him with passion and authenticity. Only then will I find the peace and fulfillment that come from being in His presence.
- Persevering in the Search for God. Seeking God is not always easy. There are times when I grow weary and feel like giving up. Yet 1 Chronicles 16:11 reminds me that perseverance is vital in my pursuit of God. Though it takes time, and though I may not always feel His presence immediately, I must continue seeking, knowing that in the end, I will find the joy and peace that come from knowing Him intimately.
Prayer (Supplication):
O Lord, You are the God of holiness, who calls us to seek You, as Micah 6:8 declares: “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?” I come before You, seeking Your grace to pursue You earnestly. Forgive my half-heartedness, as Revelation 3:1 warns: “thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead,” and my chasing of worldly desires over Your truth. Grant me a heart to seek You sincerely, as Jeremiah 29:13 promises: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
I plead for Your Spirit to ignite zeal, as Proverbs 8:17 assures: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Guard me from vain traditions, as Matthew 15:9 rebukes: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Let me seek You continually, as 1 Chronicles 16:11 urges: “Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually,” and truthfully, as Jeremiah 6:16 directs: “ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.” Deliver me from apathy, as Jeremiah 2:32 laments: “my people have forgotten me days without number.”
I ask for strength to seek You early and zealously, as Proverbs 2:4 commands, and for wisdom to walk humbly, as Psalm 132:4 vows: “I will not give sleep to mine eyes… until I find out a place for the Lord.” Bless Your church that we may seek You as one. Raise up ministers to guide us in truth, reflecting Your glory.
God, make my pursuit steadfast, my heart pure, and my life a testimony to Your abundant life, as Isaiah 55:3 promises: “Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live.”
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Micah 6:8:
Hosea 6:6; Isaiah 57:15; Zechariah 7:9; Luke 11:42; Matthew 5:7
[1] Thomas Hall, An Exposition by Way of Supplement, on the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Chapters of the Prophecy of Amos Where You Have the Text Fully Explained (London: Printed for Henry Mortlock .., 1661), 157.
