Readings for today: Amos 6-9
One of the temptations when reading the prophets is to assume God is talking about someone else. Assume God is talking about kings and princes and nations rather than ordinary people like me. And yet, as I read the opening lines from Amos 6, I feel a deep conviction settle in my own heart. Am I not at ease here in Parker? Do I not feel secure here in suburban America? I live in one of the wealthiest communities on the face of the planet. I live in one of the fastest growing areas in the country. Colorado is one of the most gorgeous states in our nation. Great weather. Majestic mountains. Active lifestyle. Lots of opportunity for work. Good schools for the kids. Great place to raise a family. It’s tempting in such a place to become self-absorbed. To shut out the rest of the world and focus on myself. To retreat into a bubble and never emerge.
Amos confronts our complacency. He calls us to engage those outside our comfort zone. He calls us to pay particular attention to the poor and needy in our midst. Those who are less fortunate. Those who don’t have access and opportunity to the blessings we’ve received. He calls us to radical generosity and a commitment to justice and righteousness. He calls us to faithfulness and obedience to the Lord. If we do these things, we shall live long in the land God has provided. If we fail in these things, we will fall under His judgment.
Amos doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He makes a huge sacrifice by leaving his own comfort zone. He leaves all that’s familiar behind - including his home and family and livelihood - to travel north to Israel. He stands in the gap for God’s people when God begins to reveal visions and dreams of judgment. He prays for God to relent lest He utterly destroy His people and God answers His prayers. He is falsely accused of sedition and treason. And despite everything he endures, he ends his prophecy with words of hope. There will come a day when God will restore His people. He will repair their breaches and raise up their ruins. He will bless them with abundance and they will enjoy His favor again.
If you are like me, you long for those latter days. You long for the days when God restores the years the locusts have eaten. You long for the days when “mountains shall drip sweet wine and all the hills shall flow with it.” You long for the days when all that was lost is regained. All that was ruined is rebuilt. All that was uprooted shall be planted and harvested. You long for the days when we can dwell secure once more not in our own strength which is fleeting but in the favor of the Lord which is forever. There’s only one way to get from here to there and that is faithful obedience to the Lord’s commands. Loving God with all our heart. Loving our neighbor as ourself. These are the first and second great commandments. They are the foundation on which we rebuild our lives.
Readings for tomorrow: Hosea 1-5