Micah 6:8c “He has shown 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.”
I remember growing up wanting to go to the store with my dad. He said, “You can come if you can keep up.” At that time my legs were much shorter than my dads (now the roles are reversed!). The desire to go with my dad wasn’t because I wanted the challenge of run/walking fast to keep up. I just wanted to walk with him.
Who you walk with is who you have a relationship with. Friends walk WITH each other. Couples walk WITH each other.
When people are not walking together, we assume there is no relationship, or a not-so-close relationship represented by one walking 10 steps out in front of the other.
What does the Lord desire?
For you to walk with him. It’s not about keeping up…we never could. It’s not about perfectly keeping in step, that would be impossible. It’s simply about being WITH your God.
The phrase “walk humbly with your God” captures the essence of what God has always wanted, not rituals, not repayment, not religion for its own sake, but relationship.
The Lord has established a relationship with us by grace and desires us to walk with him.
To walk humbly means to live in continual awareness of God’s presence and authority. It is an attitude of dependence rather than pride, listening rather than assuming, following rather than leading. The proud heart says, “I’ve got this.” The humble heart says, “God, I need You.”
Throughout Scripture, “walking with God” describes a life of fellowship and obedience. Enoch “walked with God” and was taken up (Genesis 5:24). Noah “walked with God” and found favor in His eyes (Genesis 6:9). Abraham “walked before God” in faith (Genesis 17:1). Each of them trusted God enough to move at His pace and in His direction.
Micah adds one vital word to this image: humbly. Why humbly? Because pride was at the root of Judah’s rebellion. They trusted their wealth, their leaders, and their own wisdom more than God. They thought they could manage life on their own terms. Humility, on the other hand, admits that God’s way is better even when we do not understand it.
Walking humbly is not weakness. It is wisdom. It recognizes that the Creator knows more than His creation. It keeps us teachable when life is confusing and grateful when life is good.
To walk humbly with your God also shows that this is a personal journey. God is not a distant judge watching from heaven. He is a faithful companion walking beside you. He desires closeness. He delights when His children trust Him enough to walk step by step, even when the path is unclear.
In Jesus Christ, we see one who perfectly “walked humbly with his God”. The Son of God humbled Himself, taking on flesh, and walked among us. He washed feet, welcomed sinners, and surrendered His will to the Father’s. Philippians 2 reminds us that Jesus “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross.” Our Savior not only taught humility; He lived it perfectly.
Now, through faith in Him, we are invited to walk humbly in His footsteps. Not in fear, but in friendship. Not in guilt, but in grace. Staying close to the One who leads. It is the daily choice to value God’s presence more than your own performance.
Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. As you do, you reflect the life and love of your Savior, the One who embodied all three.
Apply:
Make Space for God’s Voice. Walking humbly means listening before acting. Take time each day to read His Word and ask, “Lord, what do You want to teach me today?”
Submit Your Plans. Before making decisions, pray, “God, not my will but Yours.” Humility invites God’s direction instead of demanding His approval.
Live With Gratitude. Pride grumbles, humility gives thanks. Make gratitude your rhythm. It keeps your heart soft and your steps steady.
Prayer: Father, thank You for inviting me to walk with You, not just work for You. Teach me what it means to walk humbly with you, to trust You, depend on You, and follow You in every part of my life. Forgive me for the times I have gone my own way or relied on my own strength. Keep my heart soft and my spirit teachable. Amen.