This morning, I'm working on a series of talks on Amos for 9:00 and C@5 church in December/January. I've had a great time getting into it (we've been reading it in bible study too), and can't wait to share this part of God's word with everyone.
Last night in bible study we read Chapter 9, the last chapter of the book, and the first clear indication of how God will fix the mess Israel have gotten themselves into. I was struck by God's faithfulness to his promises despite Israel's unfaithfulness. Amos has just spent the best part of 8 chapters outlining Israel's appalling rejection of God. And then the LORD says this:
"I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel,
and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them;
they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine,
and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit." Amos 9:14
The God who is rightly angry with his people for their rejection of him is the same God who mercifully and graciously promises to give them all good things.
The God who is rightly angry with us for our rejection of him is the same God who mercifully and graciously promises to give us all good things, and has offered them to us in his son Jesus.
