I was reading through Amos this morning and was struck by the roll call of the nations being held to account. Truly, God is the judge of the whole earth.
As we get to the end of the book, though justice is being levelled, there is an appeal to repent and turn back to God.
Almost a lament by God. He goes through the many difficulties He brought upon Israel, but they would not repent. So, now He is left with no other option.
Amos 4:12 (NIV84):
12 “Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel,
and because I will do this to you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel.”
Wow! “prepare to meet your God, O Israel.”
He warns them that asking for the “Day of the Lord” to come is not a happy day but one of Judgement.
Yet, even after all the sabre rattling, God makes one more appeal for repentance.
Amos 5:14 (NIV84):
14 Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
You see the heart of our heavenly Father. Though He is rightfully the judge of all. He really wants to bring mercy over justice, but sadly, even with all the warnings, Israel would not repent and turn to Him.
So…
Amos 5:24 (NIV84):
24 But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
The Assyrians did come, and they utterly destroyed all the northern tribes and brought many into exile.
Give me the mercy of God. I cannot stand before His justice. My sins, I cannot pay for them myself. Mercy, Father.
The only way to prepare to meet our God is to turn to Him and seek good and not evil. We must turn to Him now. We won’t be able to stand at the judgment seat later.
Today is the day to turn to God.
He says whoever comes to Him, He will never turn them away.
