Epiphany 4 – What God Really Wants

What God Really Wants

A short reflection based on Micah 6:1-8 and Matthew 5:1-12

Sometimes we wonder what God wants from us. More church attendance? Bigger prayers? Louder praise? But the prophet Micah cuts through all the noise with three simple, powerful words: justice, kindness, humility.

In Micah 6, God calls the people to account, not with threats, but with heartbreak. The people have lost their way, trading deep relationship for empty rituals. But God doesn’t want rivers of oil or dramatic sacrifices. God wants a transformed life – one where fairness shapes our actions, love guides our relationships, and humility walks beside us daily.

Centuries later, Jesus echoes this in the Beatitudes. The blessings he names aren’t for the powerful or perfect – but for the poor in spirit, the grieving, the gentle, the peacemakers. These words remind us that God sees us in our vulnerability and meets us there with grace.

Micah and Jesus both show us that the spiritual life isn’t about being impressive. It’s about being real. Listening deeply. Living fairly. Loving well. In our divided, distracted world, these teachings offer a clear path home to God – and to one another.

True faith shows up in daily choices – how we treat others, not how we perform religion.

God's blessings often meet us in our most honest, humble places – not in perfection, but in openness.

Ngā mihi
Philip

Worship leaders: You can buy a complete Order of Service and Sermon based on these readings here:  https://philipgarsidebooks.com/products/worship-at-hand-epiphany-4-1-february-2026