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.

Micah 6:8 NIV

Has anyone ever asked you about your life verse? Sometimes my mind goes completely blank for an answer, but Micah 6:8 might just top the list.

Talking about specific instructions from God. This verse packs a great punch as far as that goes – act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly. What a challenge, but I want to follow this verse explicitly.

Oddly, something else gives me pause. The “O Mortal” – it gets me every time. We do not use the word “mortal” as a noun much. We use it more as an adjective describing a noun. For example, a mortal wound usually signifies a fatal one.

God calls us mortal. He is eternal while our physical human life is temporal. He has every right to address us as such. He is all powerful. Our power only comes from Him. In that sense, one could call “o mortal” a term of endearment.

He loves us enough to show us the good. This verse directs us to proper physical, emotional, and spiritual mindset and behavior. Our infinite perfect God gives us directions to make our finite fallible lives “good.”

He offers up his wisdom while encouraging us to do it “with your God.” He does not just drop in with commands and then go about his merry way. No, he gives us “with your God.” He wants us to follow his instructions with him, through him. In reality, o mortal, how can we accomplish them any other way?

Oh God, you show us Your ways for our good. They give us direction for our lives. You care enough to do so. Thank you for helping us accomplish your perfect plans for us WITH us.

Susan Partida