Passage
Amos 5:14-27 (ESV)
Ahaz, a Fearful King of Judah
2 Kings 16:1-20
Key Verse: 16:2
Justice is Near to the Heart of God
Date: Aug. 21, 2014
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 5:24
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
First, God shows his people the way (14-17). God calls his people to seek and love the good and to hate evil. An expression of this was to maintain justice in the courts. In order to receive the Lord's mercy, Israel's leaders would have to repent, confess and practically reform their ways. This would not be easy, but it was God's way to save them. God would surely help them if they would only humble themselves. Our God is powerful, faithful and dependable. He is more than able to save those who seek to know God's heart.
Second, God desires justice to cover the land (18-27). He desires justice to roll on like a river, whose water permeates the entire land. God wants justice to spread across our land through his people until everything is drenched with justice. This means that outside of our worship services and devotions, we must care about others' plight by praying and working for justice until it permeates our lives and communities. Justice is near the heart of God. True justice is born of God and his word.
Prayer: Lord, so often I am concerned only about my own devotion to you. Help me to concern about things outside my personal space, like spreading justice.
One Word: Seek the Lord and live
