The Book of Amos
God is just and righteous, yet He always exercises His justice in the context of His love and compassion. He expects us to act in the same way. God's word asks that we show mercy and understanding toward others, promoting fairness in our relationships.
God called Amos, a mere shepherd from Taka to awaken the people of Israel about their sins, also the ill treatment of the poor and oppressed, demanding that they act with justice and mercy. They were reminded of their responsibilities, and that there were consequences if they didn't change. God desired to show mercy, but they wouldn't repent.
If they had admitted their sins and repented, God would have cleansed them and restored them.
In Chapter Five of the book of Amos, there is a call to repentance.
Israel was warned not to worship false idols. (this can be ANYTHING that comes before God).
Anything we look to for comfort other than God is a false idol. This applies to us now just as it did to the Israelites,
We may not worship actual images but, it could be alcohol, drugs, work, sex, sport, materialism, or other compulsions that allow us to hide from our painful problems and issues.
God is there waiting to help us, He doesn't want us chasing after other things. According to this passage it's possible for us to fool ourselves into thinking we are spiritually right with God. Amos calls here for honest self - examination. Let us all take a moral inventory now. Where do we stand with God? How can we change to be more like He wants us to be?
No amount of religious activity is going to make up for a dysfunctional lifestyle.. We may fool others into believing we are alright because we go to Church three or four times a week, and give a percentage of our income to Church. But God will not look favourably upon our religious
activities if we are not doing good to others and following His guidelines for healthy living.
This passage warns us that God hates show and pretence, and hypocrisy. Our prayers and worship mean nothing to Him if they are not honest and real.
God's Word is our 'spiritual plumb line.' Just as we can't argue with the laws of gravity, we can't change the spiritual laws revealed in the Bible. We should measure our life by the plumb line of God's word, When things don't measure up, it is important that we admit there is a problem, and work it out with God.
Strong words from the book of Amos, just as applicable to us today as they were to the Israelites in the Old Testament.
PRAYER
Jesus The Christ.
You are the guide of our living and the shaper of our horizons.
You are the meaning of our living and the song of our hearts
Help us to trust YOU, to love YOU, and to serve YOU.
Jesus, we must walk your way.
Renew us to be a worshipping community now and in the future.
Now until YOUR Kingdom come. Amen.