LOVE GOES
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.
Micah 6:8 (NLT)
Love isn’t a feeling. Love is an action. Think about when you first fell in love with someone, maybe in grade school or later in life. That feeling didn’t just make you sit there and think, Wow, I really like them. It caused you to float, to pursue, to chase, to talk to them, maybe even stalk them! The point is, when love gets in us, it always moves through us. Simply put, love goes. It moves, it takes on action.
That’s why the Bible often speaks of works. It shows that when the love of God is in us, it will move through us. You cannot awaken the love of God without walking it out in the world. Social renewal begins in the quiet places of the heart before it ever reshapes communities, institutions or nations. Scripture reminds us that God’s work of renewal is both personal and communal. When God restores individuals, He calls them to become agents of restoration. As Isaiah declares, “... you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in (Isaiah 58:12)”—a calling extended to all who walk faithfully with God.
Imagine if God told us He loved us yet refused to heal anyone, come to earth, answer our prayers, meet our needs, or listen to us. That kind of love is merely emotional, showing no investment—a love that never goes. Yet this is often how we treat God. We say we love Him, but neglect those in the world, rarely share our faith, or help those in need. The love of God sent Him into the world, and having been transformed by Him, His love in us will always send us as well. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, and restored dignity to those society discarded, showing that social renewal begins when people are seen not as problems, but as beloved image-bearers of God.
APPLICATION: As we pray for social renewal, may God soften our hearts and sharpen our discernment. May we learn to act justly without losing tenderness, and to love mercy without growing weary. Through compassionate justice, God renews not only societies—but also His people.
PRAYER: God, give us clarity on who and how to show Your love today—through a text, time with the hurting, or serving others. Speak, Lord, and make us faithful to say yes! Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?