Occasionally circumstances are such that it is necessary to go to Court. The reasons vary from being on a jury to being the accused person. There is a difference between a civil case and a criminal case but for all except those working in the judicial system, the process is rather daunting and may even be frightening.
Sometimes things go wrong in life, they are unfair or an event makes a person determined to ‘have their day in court’.
In the sixth chapter of the book of the prophet Micah, God makes his case against Israel. His beloved people have tried his patience to the limit and he is exasperated. Colloquially, it is as if there has been a fall out between friends that has escalated and taken on a life of its own. The relationship of people with God has seen them, over and again, missing the point of what he really wants.
To be merciful and humble seems simple on the face of it. How is it that we make such a mess of our interface with each other and God that misunderstandings lead to frustration that boils over into a desire to be heard and to be seen to win.
Micah’s punch line, or rather God’s punch line is that actually the last thing God really wants is the showdown of court; he simply wants people to be just, merciful and humble. (Micah 6:8).
For us, living in the age of the new covenant, there should not be a need for us to have a strained relationship with God when he has disposed of our sin and its effects through the cross of Jesus; but we are still capable of getting angsty. I wonder if we ever make God as frustrated as he was made by his people in Micah’s day? I am not sure we can, or should, answer that question.
Martin Leckebusch, a contemporary hymn writer younger than me is a master of poetic expression in his contributions to modern hymnody. In his text ‘show me how to stand for justice, he gives us words in the second verse that make a prayer for grace today. (StF 713).
Lord:
‘Teach my heart to treasure mercy,
Whether given or received –
For my need has not diminished
Since the day I first believed:
Let me seek no satisfaction
Boasting of what I have done,
But rejoice that I am pardoned
And accepted in your Son.’
Amen.