He has told you, O human, 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. (NIV) Micah 6:8 This verse is found in a wee book in the Old Testament, a message from a prophet reminding the Israelites that God sees all things, and more importantly he sees the motivations behind our actions.

To be fair, humans haven’t really changed, perhaps just found even more ways to be cruel or selfish or arrogant. Often it is said that God is judgemental and angry all the time, especially in the Oldtestament.

I see a God who is frustrated with his people like a loving parent with a wayward child, and what he gets angry most about is how human beings treat each other.

Constantly he reminds us that what he really wants is for us to love one another, looking out for one another and helping each other.

He makes impassioned pleas for us to help the poor, the marginalised, the refugee, the stranger.

He calls out for justice for widows and orphans. This verse is an earlier version of another many of us have heard, and known as the Great Commandment. “Love God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength and love your neighbour as you love yourself.”jesus also threw in loving our enemies. If all that is step too far just now – at least we can start with acting justly, loving mercy (the gift of second chances or forgiveness or kindness) and let God walk along the road with you.

Perhaps if we live by the golden rule, with similar versions shared by many different faiths and none –‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you – Luke 6:31 - this world would be a happier place. For the sake of the children, and their children, I pray we can at least start there and move towards love. God bless you.

Reverend Sarah Ross Blantyre Old Parish Church