A good word for today from an old book

March 3, 2026

I had been asked to read the verses of scripture for the Sunday morning service. Frankly, I hadn’t stood before an audience in a long time, and I was a little nervous.

The passage was from the book of Micah who was a prophet at the same time as Isaiah. I loved reading through this book and seeing familiar verses. Do you remember the one that says there will one day come when there is peace among all nations and they will be able to “beat their swords into plowshares.” Micah also told of a deliverer who would save his people who would be born in the little town of Bethlehem. It’s an intriguing verse about Jesus, foretold somewhere around 750 B.C.

The passage I was to read ended with a powerful statement—an often-quoted verse. First, God speaks through Micah to the people:

“Hear what the Lord says . . . for the Lord has an indictment against his people.”The next verse got my attention:

“’O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me!’”

He wants their obedience, not just their sacrifices. Micah asks for himself and for the people of Israel:

“With what shall I come before the Lord . . . Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?”

So here comes the familiar and poignant verse from the prophet:

“He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to act justly, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God.”

What powerful words!

A friend generously told me I could have a piece of art when her mother died. She was a gifted artist. This cross-stitched verse is what I chose.

I enjoyed reading these verses and I will be a little less nervous next time I’m asked.