Scripture: Amos 9: 13-15

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from the hills. I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

Scripture Commentary: God gives us a picture of the last days

Amos announces God’s warning of destruction as a consequence of people’s evil ways.  And we get a picture of what those days will look like.

In Amos’ day, the Jews lost sight of God’s care and love for them. The rich refused to help those in need because they could live lives of comfort and carelessness. People observed religious rituals in an attempt to appease God, but they did not truly love him because they did not truly know him.

A relationship with God runs deeper than actions alone. Balance your actions with faith in God, and his power and love for you.

God expects our belief in him to penetrate all areas of our conduct and to extend to all people and circumstances because that exemplifies a true and absolute dedication to him. We should let Amos’ words inspire us to live faithfully according to God’s desires.

God’s desire for us is to love everyone as he loves us and to spread his Word throughout the world. He does not want to turn away from us.  He wants to bring us into his kingdom and give us eternal life; however, in his perfect love is perfect justice.

Repent, seek forgiveness for your sins, and turn to the Lord. And tell people about Jesus Christ and what he has done in your life so that you can be an instrument of God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Amos Chapter 9

Scripture: Amos 8: 11-14

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it. In that day, the lovely young women and the strong young men will faint because of thirst. They who swear by the shame of Samaria, or say, ‘As surely as your god lives, O Dan,’ or, ‘As surely as the god of Beersheba lives,’ they will fall, never to rise again.”

Scripture Commentary: Place the words of the Lord in your heart

When Amos brought his teachings, the people had no appetite for the words of the Lord. God took away the opportunity to hear his word as a consequence for their apathy.

Help those in your life turn to the Bible to answer their questions and needs

We have God’s word, the Bible. Many people still look everywhere for answers to life’s problems except in scripture. You can help by directing people to the Bible. Show them the verses – the words – that speak to their special needs and questions. God’s word is available to us. We have a duty to help others find it before the time comes when they cannot.

When you give time to God, are you devoting your heart to worship or is your religion a front for unethical practices? Do not turn a blind eye to the truth of God’s word.

There will come a time when you will not be able to turn to the Word. Seek him before it is too late.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Amos Chapter 8