READ: Amos 5 (Focus vs. 1-6 & 10-14)
MEMORY VERSE
Seek the Lord and live. Amos 5:6
BACKGROUND
A family who’d lost touch with their son and brother Tyler received an urn that was said to contain his cremation ashes. Just twenty-two years old, he’d apparently died of a drug overdose.
For years, Tyler had dealt with the effects of drug addiction and poor choices. But prior to the reported overdose, he’d been sober after spending time in a transitional housing facility and completing an addiction recovery program.
Then authorities made a shocking discovery—Tyler was actually alive! They’d mistaken him for another young man who’d died of an overdose. Later, after being reunited with family and reflecting on the death of the other young man, Tyler said, “That could have been me.”
The Israelites once learned of their death—though they were very much alive. In a song of mourning, the prophet Amos sang these words to God’s rebellious people: “Fallen is Virgin Israel, never to rise again” (Amos 5:2).
These words must have gotten their attention—they were dead?! But the prophet also spoke these comforting words from God Himself: “Seek me and live” and “Seek good . . . . Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you” (vv. 4, 14).
Though Israel was dead in their sins against God, He invited them to turn to Him and find life.
As we deal with our sin, let’s confess it and bring it to the one who loves us and forgives us. God lovingly leads us from death to life (John 5:24).
Tom Felten
INSIGHT
Amos was a prophet from Judah (Amos 7:12) whom God sent to warn Israel of His judgment for their sins. Amos lamented the death of the nation (5:1-3, 16-27) but offered a message of hope for those who repented and returned to God.
Though punishment was certain, Amos urged the people to repent, to “hear” the words of God (v. 1), “seek the Lord and live” (v. 6), act justly (vv. 7-10), not oppress the poor (vv. 11-13), and do good and hate evil (vv. 14-15). He provides what we need to turn from sin and find true life in Christ.
K.T. Sim
APPLICATION
How does going against God lead to death? What do you need to confess to Him?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“He provides what we need to turn from sin and find true life in Christ.”
PR’s TAKE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2Corinthinans 5:17
PRAYER
“Loving God, please help me turn from sin and find life in You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“IN CHRIST ALONE…” Adrienne Camp
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
