Day 16 - Issue 25
Micah 6:8 NLT
'No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.'
April 23rd is St George’s Day, the patron saint of England, but also of Georgia, Romania, Malta, Portugal, Palestine and Catalonia. St George was probably born in Cappadocia (Turkey) in the third century. His parents were Christians and, following his father’s death, he and his mother moved to Palestine. As a young man he joined the Roman army, rising to the position of tribune. However, when the emperor Diocletian came to power, he instigated a harsh persecution of Christians. George resigned his commission in protest and was arrested, tortured and beheaded in Lydda. As for slaying dragons, this is traced to a book printed by William Caxton, of printing press fame, in 1483, as a collection of fantastic tales of saints’ lives written by a French bishop.
However, the metaphor of dragon-slaying is useful. For St George, in contesting the emperor’s express command, had to slay the dragon of fear within him. It is the prophet Micah who reminds us of the need to slay all such dragons that stand in the way of justice.
Today is a day when we can reflect upon those acts of kindness we have engaged in over the past year. Any act of kindness counts – supporting a neighbour, providing a lift and suchlike. Indeed, we are called to random acts of kindness in an attempt to counter the self-centred materialism that has taken hold of life globally.
God gazed on St George’s sacrifice, just as God sees your acts of kindness. These are the oil that drives the engine of God’s kingdom in the earth. Without them, evil will triumph. The fact that it doesn’t is a clear indication of the many who choose to walk with Micah, doing justice, loving kindness and walking humbly.
QUESTION: How might you demonstrate the justice and kindness of God by serving others?
PRAYER: Lord, give me opportunities today to do good, and the courage to take them.
