Month: July 2026

Amos 5:18-20 NLT

Amos warned Israel about the seriousness of disobedience and unrepentance with God, telling them that the day of the Lord for which they yearned would come. Though Israel is God’s chosen people, their status won’t gain them divine favor if they remained disobedient and unrepentant, nor would it bring them joy as they erroneously believed. God has no respect of persons and is just in treatment to all people. Amos prophesied centuries ago that God’s people are called to live righteously – repent and live a life of obedience, conducting ourselves daily to reflect that we belong to Christ. When the Lord comes each believer will be held accountable for how they walked before God.

The prophet painted a graphic picture comparing Israel to a man trying to flee three dangerous animals on the Lord’s day. He prophesied, “In that day you will be like a man who runs from a lion – only to meet a bear. Escaping from the bear, he leans his hand against a wall in his house – and he’s bitten by a snake” (v.19). Amos showed Israel the urgency of a true and faithful relationship with God rather than having false hope in the things of this world.  

Amos’ graphic illustration of the day of the Lord symbolized increased and endless danger for an unrepentant man running, trying to escape. The prophet signified that security in God is the only escape from the consequence of His judgment. The gospel singer, Lee Williams says, “You can’t run, You can’t hide. There’s no need, No need to try. You don’t know when or how he’s coming; you just can’t get by.” 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

 

Amos 5:18-20 NLT

There are times when God’s people experience outward prosperity, and everything appears to be going well. However, be aware that earthly riches can be deceptive and create in us an attitude of hypocrisy because at the same time we are prospering, we can experience an increase in sin, resulting in great moral and spiritual decline. Unfortunately, this is what was happening in Israel during Amos’ time. Many kept their religious festivals but remained disobedient, unjust, and hypocritical; today, many of us keep our worship service and do the same. Israel failed to heed God’s call to repent and turn back to Him; therefore, Amos pronounced woe to those who were unrepentant but selfishly longed for the coming of the Lord’s day.  

God is not against material prosperity; He just does not want us to mistake it for the measure of being blessed and highly favored. He measures believers’ prosperity by the heart that is fixed and character that reflects trust in Him through good and bad times and not by earthly possessions. According to 3 John 1:2, John blessed Gaius, saying, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” Also, Paul told the Philippians (4:19), “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” God’s desire is for His people to be well, successful, and have all needs met in every aspect of their life. So today, Children of God, don’t let earthly prosperity give you a false sense of security.

Lift your voice and give God, “Glory!”   

Amos 5:18 NLT

Today’s time is comparable to that of Amos’ prophecy – widespread immorality, corruption and injustice. Amos called both the Jews and Gentiles to repent and turn from their wickedness to God’s righteousness. God is not partial to anyone: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). His character reflects justice, which demands punishment for sin and wrath, the eternal consequence for refusing to repent and accept Jesus. John 3:36c says: “… the wrath of God abides on him.” 

Amos warned Israel, saying, “Woe to you who long
    for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
    That day will be darkness, not light” (v.18). Israel, God’s chosen people, longed for the day of the Lord and believed that made them special, and God’s call to repent didn’t apply to them. 

Amos asked them why they longed for the day of the Lord, telling them that the day will be darkness, not light. There’s a saying that we should be careful about what we ask for, and I will add that we be careful about why we ask. We must be careful that we are not trying to fulfill our selfish desires. What children of God want and why should be in line with God’s desire. Amos issued Israel a strong warning of “woe” because they longed “for the day of the Lord” but has disregarded the call to repent and live righteously. Remember, God is just, and we will be held accountable, for His judgment is sure. 

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

Amos 5:16-17 NLT

According to Scripture, God’s love for mankind is unconditional, but our love for Him is on the condition of our relationship with Him. Romans 5:8-10 tell us of God’s unconditional love: “while we were yet sinners and enemies of God, Christ gave His life,” declaring us to be justified, or made righteous, and reconciled with Him through Christ. Therefore, believers have the assurance of salvation and continuing life. 

Recall that previously (vv. 14-15) Amos urged Israel to seek good, reject evil, and live righteously. Here in verses 16-17 the prophet called for the people of Israel, who had alienated themselves from God due to sin, to reconcile, that is restore, their broken relationship with Him. Yet, in spite of being warned of their widespread, unjust treatment of the poor, Israel continued their wickedness, refusing to turn from it to God’s call to righteousness. ¹⁶ Therefore, this is what the Lord, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says:

“¹⁶ There will be crying in all the public squares
    and mourning in every street.
Call for the farmers to weep with you,
    and summon professional mourners to wail.
¹⁷ There will be wailing in every vineyard,
    for I will destroy them all,”
    says the Lord.

We often talk about God’s love for mankind, but what about His wrath against evil, unrighteous living? Here Amos prophesied that weeping and mourning will come to Israel because of impending destruction due to their persistent disobedience and injustice. Today, will you repent and turn from your evil ways to God’s righteousness?

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”  

Amos 5:14-15 NLT

God called the prophet Amos to the northern kingdom of Israel to deliver a message of judgment and restoration. This event occurred during a time of relative prosperity for Israel under the leadership of King Jeroboam II. The Creator does not favor one person or group over another, no matter who they are, from where they come, what their status, or whether they are rich or poor. When God called Amos, He had already prepared him for the fulfillment of His purpose. “There is nothing in us that allows us to claim that we are capable of doing this work. The capacity we have comes from God” (2 Cor. 3:5 GNT).

In Amos 5:14-15 the prophet’s message to the people of Israel was a four-fold warning to ward off coming judgment. He called on them to repent and live righteously. Yes, God loves us, and He graciously extends the invitation for His people to return to Him in order to receive His divine favor. He told them if they would actively commit to the restoration of a right relationship with Him and others, “the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.”

¹⁴ “Do what is good and run from evil
    so that you may live!
Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper,
    just as you have claimed.
¹⁵ Hate evil and love what is good;
    turn your courts into true halls of justice.
Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies
    will have mercy on the remnant of his people.”

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”