“I will Restore…..I will Repair….I will Build….I will Bring Back….My exiled people will Rebuild…They will Plant… They will make Gardens and eat their Fruit….I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the Lord.” Amos 9:11-15
God’s Word is timeless. Amos was a prophet during a time of wealth and prosperity for some people, while others were extremely poor. His prophecies from God were many times reprimands to those who continually oppressed the poor, needy, and suffering. Amos’ prophecies show how God becomes angry and exasperated with the humans of that time for showing more interest in accumulating wealth and possessions rather than following His guidance, being obedient to the laws and Word given, and their unwillingness to help others in need. All throughout the Book of Amos, God strives to reach the people through Amos’ prophecies many different ways. What lengths God went to in order to fight for His people! Finally in the last chapter God relents to restore the remnant of believers to Israel. What God was looking for was the whole human race of that time to stop the idol worship, selfish aggrandizement, oppression and violence, suppression of the helpless, accumulating things and wealth without sharing, and return to His ways of living peacefully. But, when all was said and done only a remnant of people were left who believed, followed His Word, was obedient to His law, and maintained an honest, helpful living content with what each had. Sounds very much like today’s world in which we live. It’s a battle everyday as we fight to maintain integrity and live according to the peaceful will of God in a world full of hate, disregard for humanity, wealth gathering, and selfish endeavors. Songs and Worship are a form of Battle – Use it!
Remember, God will reach out to you in many ways, through many people, in unique circumstances always with the gift of forgiveness of wrong doings. He forgives our mistakes, but we also must recognize that He expects a change in us as well by seeking to do His will, striving to live better, helping others, the sick, the addicted, the homeless, the needy. Yes, He holds us accountable for our actions and is always ready with abundant blessings if we will just ask for forgiveness and seek the change that needs to happen.
Give God A Chance! He Restores, Repairs, Heals, Plants Good…. Raise the Battle Cry of Song and Worship everyday; All Day Long!