The plumb line is
great way of remembering the message of Amos.
Read Amos 8, which has another vision.
What does this vision have in common with the three in Amos 7? How is
it different?
Several years ago, before the drought, our plum tree was
abundant with fruit. We picked them
before the squires, birds and yes a coyote ate them, as they had the previous
year. Our purpose was to give them to
neighbors and take some to church. First,
we would enjoy some of the delicious fruit and make jelly etc. Because of busy schedules, by the time we
were ready to give away the fruit, it was overripe, not the fresh not as beautiful
as when they were picked. There was
terrible smell. We learned many lessons
and were heartbroken that others were not able to enjoy the fruit because of
our preoccupation with other things.
Note the specific charges in this vision. What does it say about the condition of
Israel? Hear this v. 4-14. Is spoken, to among others, wealthy merchants
who rob the poor and trample down the
needy!, who kept the religious
festivals but not in the right spirit: Can’t wait for the Sabbath day to be over … We are only in the first week of Lent, yet
some Christians who are required to fast or avoid eating certain foods are
likely saying: “I miss …” Lent is not so much about “giving something
up … as doing something for someone, listening to a person or demonstrating the heart of Jesus. Ritual without a genuine spirit of serving
God is a sham and meaningless.
Apathy towards God’s Word would result in famine. Not
food or water but in not hearing the
words of the Lord. People will stagger …
searching for word of the Lord, but will not find it.
Imagine if you had no access to a Bible or worship services,
would you stagger searching for God’s
Word? Give thanks to God for the
freedom and opportunity of reading the Bible, God’s Word.
Prayer:Give thanks to God for His Word. Pray for those who are forbidden from reading the Bible or have never heard of the transformative love shown through the heart of Jesus. Pray that the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) will be evident in your life.
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