Amos: An Invitation to the Good LifeSample

Never Overlooked

Four nations down, two to go! Way to go, you! You’ve made it through almost all the judgments on the enemies of Judah, and I hope you’ve been as encouraged as I have.

Read Amos 1:13-15; 2:1-3.

Wow. These are the most graphic sins so far. Once again, not very pretty, is it? Let’s examine each nation’s sin to help us grow in assurance that God sees and cares.

Ammon attacked Gilead, and the description Amos gave of what the enemy did was horrible. Their brutality included killing babies in the womb. In antiquity, this was a depraved practice of war intended to intimidate and strike terror in those being attacked.

Read Psalm 10.

Psalm 10 probably sounds a lot like your prayers when you see the unborn so easily discarded, and the physically defenseless disregarded. It sure echoes mine: “Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?... Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless” (vv. 1,12, NIV).

My friend, God knows the hurts of the helpless, He hears their cries, and He will ultimately bring justice. When you feel discouraged over the state of the helpless, pray Psalm 10 and ask God how you can be an answer to that prayer. Ask Him for the courage of Amos to respond to what He calls you to do.

Like Ammon, Moab’s actions were just one more ugly example of taking advantage of someone weak and defenseless. You can live assured that God doesn’t take lightly those who hurt the vulnerable or destroy those who can’t defend themselves. God’s justice is no respecter of person or nation. He even avenged sin perpetrated on the enemy nation, Edom, because sin is sin; wrong is wrong. A righteous God must righteously respond to sin. These ancient nations bumped up against the righteousness and justice of God and were crushed by it.

Even when it looks like evil flourishes, you can live assured God does not overlook sin. Vengeance belongs to God, and He alone determines the timing. That means we can live assured that He’s got this!

God will avenge the blood of His servants, take vengeance on His enemies, and cleanse the land for His people. I love that! This is in the context of what God will do for Israel, but the principle of God’s goodness toward His people will be fully seen through the atoning work of Christ on our behalf.