June 21

Today's reading in One Year Bible Chronological Reading Plan is Amos 1-6:14

He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the LORD God Almighty is his name. Amos 4:13

Amos was an ordinary man whom God had called to proclaim His message to the people of Israel. Unlike Jonah, he was preaching to his fellow Israelites. But totally like Jonah, he was preaching to a people who were evil, who had turned their back on God despite the consequences God had already sent them.

This verse reminds us of the utter fear that should fill our hearts with dread if we are to meet God on Judgement Day as a lion of wrath.

As John Piper says
He makes mountains like Play-Dough, and mighty wind with a whisper. He knows every thought of your mind before you speak it. He governs all the workings of the solar system, and steps from the Appalachians to the Rockies in one stride. Do you want to meet him roaring from Zion, or rejoicing over us with gladness?

And here's one that might step on your toes like it did mine..

Amos is a devastating book for people who give token attention to God through assemblies and songs, but whose hearts are much more genuinely engaged by sports, or business, or family, or hobbies. If your outward acts of worship are a mask to give you some respectability while your heart is really attached to the world and to your own comfort, then God hates your worship and despises your solemn assemblies and offerings and songs.

Through Amos, God takes the people to task for turning away from God, for loving comfort and luxury which in turn led to dishonesty and callousness towards the poor. Though specifically for the people of that time, we would do well to heed the warnings of this book. For God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Actions and motives that He despises in the OT He still despises today.

In the book of Jonah the Ninevites listened to the Word of the Lord, repented and were spared.

In retrospect we know that Israel did not heed the voice of Amos and they were taken into captivity. Let us not make the same mistake.

Tomorrow's passage: Amos 7-9, 2 Kings 14:28-29, 2 Kings 15:6-29, 2 Chronicles 26:22-23, Isaiah 6:1-13