God speaks a very strong word to Israel and Judah through Amos; a message that I need to review as I examine my life in Christ. Am I going through the motions (as Matthew West sings in the song of that name) when I approach God? That is what Israel and Judah was doing when Amos spoke. They were making a big show regarding the rituals that God had prescribed but their hearts were not impacted and their actions regarding justice and righteousness were absent. In 6:12 God described their acts of justice as poison and the fruit of the righteousness as bitterness. So I need to ask myself when someone needs mercy (whether they verbally ask for it or not) do I offer what God has given me for that need or do I offer lip-service or rejection? Do my actions betray a shallowness toward God and an insensitivity to people around me who are struggling just like me, or is compassion and hope overflowing from my response? I want a right response not to please God, but rather to reflect him to others. I think that is some of the greatest expressions of worship I can live.
It took me about 9 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
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