August 22

Amos 9

Israel’s sin must be judged, but God offers hope of restoration.

INSIGHT

God reveals a warning of judgment on Israel through visions to Amos. One vision is a plumb line which God says He will hold up against the “wall” of Jerusalem, and it will be demonstrated that the wall is leaning and will fall (Amos 7:7-9). Another vision is of summer fruit in a basket which, left unattended, will rot and be good only for throwing out (chapter 8). Famine, military conquest, and pestilence are among the consequences of judgment. Israel does not repent and judgment comes, but Amos holds out the promise of eventual restoration.

PRAYER

Thank the Lord and give Him your praise for saving you by faith and clothing you in Christ’s righteousness:
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
(1 Chronicles 16:28-29).

I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (Psalm 7:17).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
-- Greater wisdom in decision making
-- The needs of friends
-- Whatever else is on your heart

Offer this closing prayer to God:
May the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).

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