What is God looking for in us?  Micah 6:8 tells us, “He has showed you, O man 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.”  Our generation has slowly become numb to an evil aimed at twisting and confusing our morals.  Our hearts and minds are being bombarded and eventually penetrated by garbage we consider to be entertainment, but is nothing more than a distraction meant to keep our eyes off of God and our responsibilities. 

“Acting justly” means we are to deal fairly and honestly with others.  We are to stand up for the weak and oppressed and above all else, we are to confront any evil in ourselves or society.  “To love mercy” involves discernment relating to the physical and spiritual needs of society.  It is about having the heart of Christ that breaks for those who desperately need help and compassion for those who need a savior.  “Walking humbly” relates to living a selfless life that brings honor and glory to the Lord.  Our evangelism is most effective when we practice what we preach, even when it is not the popular thing to do.  Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Cowardice asks the question: is it safe?  Expediency asks the question: is it politic?  Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right?  And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular – but one must take it simply because it is right.”

T minus 20 weeks to being a father for the first time, this has been weighing very heavy on me.  There is a generation among us known as the fatherless generation.  I realize that we can’t do everything, but I’m fairly confident most of us can be doing more than what we are currently doing.  The rights and futures of our children and grandchildren depend largely on what we are willing to sacrifice on their behalf.  Lately, our generation’s laziness and apathy have squandered away what past generations worked so hard for to secure for us.  Psalm 82:3-4 tells us, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”  The depravity of our culture and the desperate needs of this fatherless generation are laid out before us.  What we must never forget is that the devil will never stop attacking what God prioritizes and since His primary purpose in fatherhood was to reveal and represent God Himself to children, this is an area we must be willing to defend with our lives.  How do you think a child could possibly love their heavenly Father if their earthly father abandoned them or if their earthly father abused or neglected them.  Fathers are meant to be loving providers, strong protectors, trustful leaders, respectable authorities, and intimate friends.  God has always had a very special place in His heart for fatherless children because he understands that children learn their identity, values and worth from their father; where do you think Jesus learned His?  Regardless if this describes you as a father or as a child, remember this: past failure doesn’t have to mean future failure because we have a Father in heaven that loves us unconditionally and is for us.  And since He is for us, it doesn’t matter who or what is against us.  I’m currently reading The Resolution for Men and it gives a beautiful illustration:  “We must lock shields with other men around us and refuse to allow one another to fail any longer in the battles for our marriages and families.  If my battle gets too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if your battle is too strong for you, then I will come to help you.”  Fathers, I challenge you reclaim territory you have forfeited to the enemy; it doesn’t matter if your children are grown and moved on.  Mend your relationships and pour love into their lives.  Children, I challenge you to respect your parents even if you think you know everything; I once did, but now realize I knew nothing.  If you don’t have a relationship with your father, I encourage you to pray for and find a mentor who can speak wisdom into your life and show you a glimpse of the love your heavenly Father has for you.  Most men will die alone with deep regrets, but if we live the life God has called us to, we will begin to live for what matters most.