Author: evangelist_breland

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!”

John 14:15-17 NKJV, AMP

Jesus continued His final teaching to His disciples before His death: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (v.15). What a powerful statement! It contains two key principles of Christianity – loving Him and keeping His commandments. How often have we said, “Love is action?” Well, Jesus was saying to His disciples that they are expected to show their love for Him. Consider, God created man in His own image to be in relationship with Him to bring Him glory by faithfully living a life of righteousness. Therefore, Jesus stated that His disciples’ love for Him is based on the condition of their obedience to His commandments. The NKJV note on v.15 says: “Genuine love for Jesus results in genuine obedience.” 1 John 5:3 says: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

Jesus was soon to depart from earth, but He continued teaching His disciples, telling them they will not be left alone. He promised them the Father will give them another helper that will always be with them. What an expression of love! He taught (AMP): “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— (v.16) the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you” (v.17).

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

John 14:12-14 NKJV

This passage is part of Jesus’ final teaching to His twelve disciples. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (v.12). The phrase “Most assuredly, I say to you,”stresses that what Jesus is teaching is truth. He promised them that all who have faith in Him will do the works that He did during His earthly ministry. Also, He prophesied that they would do greater works than these he will do because He was returning to His Father. His Holy Spirit will come to live in every believer. This will give believers power to live a life of obedience and faith, and their works will have a greater reach than Christ’s earthly works, according to God’s purpose. 

Jesus continued instructing His disciples: “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (v.13). Prayer is not a passing thought for believers; the idiomatic expression “Little prayer, little power, much prayer, much power” reminds us of that. Jesus declared to His disciples that prayer has power and purpose. The power is Jesus’ promise to answer their prayers when done in His name. The purpose is Jesus’ promise that by answering their prayers in His name, the Father may be glorified in the Son. His teaching reinforced that if you ask anything in His name, He will do it (v.14). Remember, prayers done in Jesus’ name are according to God’s will and purpose.  

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”