Where to Get Grace, Mercy, and Compassion

O. T. #2117  Where to Get Grace, Mercy, and Compassion"

Jan. 27, 2022

Amos 4-Part 2

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. (Psalm 145:8

LET IT GLOW

Well, it has finally come to our area-Covid 19 has hit us like sledge hammer, sweeping across our family and friends. Tuesday my husband tested positive, coughing and sick; his brother is down with it, and his wife; his other brother's wife and 90-year-old dad are coughing, too with it; as well as our son had it last week. And then our daughter in law's sister and husband are hit with the virus. One of our workers at the shop and friend took it home to his pregnant wife and 3 children. Will it stop? Please pray for all of us. so far I was negative with the test, but have had a sore throat. So you see, I needed today's verse!

What do we learn about God from David?

• God is gracious. None of us are in the hospital.
• Our God is full of compassion. We are able to stay at home, quarantined and not on a ventilator.
• God is slow to anger. He could have wiped us away with this virus because we are sinners.
• Our God has great mercy. Slowly our loved ones are recovering, in spite of us getting the vaccines.

I need to be reminded how gracious, compassionate, merciful, and slow to anger my God is with you and me. How about you?

I am reminded that today my dad would have been 100 today had he lived. He passed away 35 years and 3 days ago. My heart still misses him, but my mind says he is not suffering and is with Jesus and his family.

Are we trusting God this very moment? Each moment of life is a gift to us. so is the gift of salvation that Jesus Christ provided through His death and resurrection.

Be sure to look up and say thanks.

 

LET IT GROW

In verses 4-5, we can read the sarcasm Amos uses as he invites Israel to Bethel and Gilgal. Both were of significance to the Jews in their history.

Bethel was where Abram built an altar unto the LORD after receiving His blessings. (Gen 12-13) Jacob met Jesus there in a dream of a ladder. (Gen. 28) The Ark was kept there once.(Judges 20)

Gilgal was the first camp where the people set up as they entered the Promised Land. (Joshua 4) Also, it was the place where the first king of Israel, Saul, was made king. (1 Sam. 11:15)

Unfortunately, both places became the place where shires of pagan gods were erected and worshiped by the Israelites. On the surface, they brought offerings and sang songs, but their hearts were far from God. Their sacrifices were unclean and forbidden bulls and goats.

Theirs was only a surface religion, not a heart religion. God wants obedience from the heart (1 Sam. 15). If the heart is not right with God, the sacrifice means nothing. (Gen. 4:1-7) We see it in Cain's sacrifice of works, fruit of the ground, instead of a blood sacrifice, as Able brought. We know how that ended up.

Do we go to religious meetings to impress others, feel good, instead of confessing our sins and having a broken heart healed? Are our motives right?

LET IT GO

Amazing grace is what we need today, Lord God.

Your cleansing through Jesus' blood as we confess our sins.

Have mercy on us sinners, Holy God.

Change our hearts to please You and not others as we worship.