Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. Amos 5:24
The people of Israel said the right things, sang great songs, and got together to celebrate their national religion. The prophet Amos wasn’t impressed. God showed him where the people were at. He told them in verse 12, “I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions.” So God invited the people to come back to Him and seek His heart once more. He told them to hate evil and love what was good, stop the show and pretense, and cease the meaningless offerings (Amos 5:14-15, 22-23).
Hadn’t they done the right things publicly, attended the expected religious services, and sought to show evidence of faithfulness? Yes, but God also saw every moment out of the public eye. He saw their divided heart. He was aware that they were engaged in white-washed living, and it was time to confront their rebellion.
He wasn’t interested in their diligent spiritual to-do list. God wanted the hearts of His people to line up with the desires of His heart. Righteous living and compassion were rarely practiced.
Today, God continues to look for righteous living among His people. He desires to see compassion poured out on behalf of those who need love more than a hearty “Serves you right.” God still desires a people whose outer life lines up with His truth.
The people of Israel said the right things, sang great songs, and got together to celebrate their national religion. The prophet Amos wasn’t impressed. God showed him where the people were at. He told them in verse 12, “I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions.” So God invited the people to come back to Him and seek His heart once more. He told them to hate evil and love what was good, stop the show and pretense, and cease the meaningless offerings (Amos 5:14-15, 22-23).
Hadn’t they done the right things publicly, attended the expected religious services, and sought to show evidence of faithfulness? Yes, but God also saw every moment out of the public eye. He saw their divided heart. He was aware that they were engaged in white-washed living, and it was time to confront their rebellion.
He wasn’t interested in their diligent spiritual to-do list. God wanted the hearts of His people to line up with the desires of His heart. Righteous living and compassion were rarely practiced.
Today, God continues to look for righteous living among His people. He desires to see compassion poured out on behalf of those who need love more than a hearty “Serves you right.” God still desires a people whose outer life lines up with His truth.