Are We Just and Merciful?

O. T. #2122  "Are We Just and Merciful?"

Feb. 3, 2022

Amos 5-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

So I turned the page in the Billy Graham daily devotional spiral sitting on my desk. Here was last Thursday's verse (Ps. 145:8).The jest of it is this: What would it be like in our world if God were only a God of love, never judging evil nor stopping it? Evil me would not worry about God judging them.

What the world be like if God were only a God of judgment, punishing us every time we did wrong? We would not have a chance since we sin every day.

God disciplines and corrects us because He loves us and wants us to turn from the destructive path we are on. Then we learn His grace, compassion, mercy.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. (Psalm 145:17)

In the Hebrew language, righteous means lawful, just; holy refers to kind, merciful, godly.

Our God is just in all His ways and merciful in His works. Throw in grace and compassion, along with slow to anger. What a righteous and holy God we love and serve! Isn't He awesome!

LET IT GROW

I noticed that the phrase "The LORD, The God of Hosts" is used 4 times in this chapter-verses 14, 15, 16, and 27.  

LORD is Jehovah in Hebrew, and means Self-Existent or Eternal; Hosts refers to a company; soldiers; a mass of persons or things organized for war (an army)

This has been who spoke through Amos and declared judgment for Israel if they did not repent of their sins.

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (verse 24)

Since Israel was unconcerned for others, God would judge them. It reveals God's concern that His people be righteous in their character and just in their conduct. This is the key verse for the book of Amos. No matter how much religious activity we are involved in, if we do not love our brothers and neighbors, we can't honestly worship and serve the Lord. (Wiersbe)

LET IT GO

Holy, righteous Father, have mercy on me a sinner.

Help me to show mercy, to others, for I need Your mercy.

May we be just and kind in our dealings with others.