Amos 5:24

²⁴ “But let justice roll down like waters
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Much like in our own time, Israel was living in the lap of luxury during one of the most prosperous times in the nation’s history.  Outwardly, the lives of the people glimmered with the rays of success!  It was a time when comfort, ease and carefree living ruled the hearts of the people.   But another thing also ruled their hearts; corruption and rebellion against God.   Their hearts and lives became cisterns of extreme moral decay.  Therefore, again, much like in our own time, Amos lived during a time when justice and righteousness were in extremely short supply.  Israel had participated in abominable idolatrous religious practices under Solomon’s son Jeroboam and the people had become a corrupt nation with hearts that were hardened towards God.  They had become a nation of hypocrites.  Attempting to please God with religious ceremonies and superficial duties while simultaneously worshipping the false gods of the surrounding nations.  Instead of serving God with justice, humility, love, and mercy, they embraced arrogance, materialism, immorality, and self-righteousness.  To think that this incredibly prosperous nation would be conquered and exiled by the Assyrians in less than 40 years was a laughable idea to these haughty people.  And yet, that was the subject of Amos’ prophecy which came true in 722 B.C.  In many ways, America is the 21st century A.D. reflection of 8th century B.C. Israel.  A wicked nation clinging to a long past Christian identity.  Oh, how true when Solomon wrote “there is nothing new under the sun.”  America is in moral and religious freefall.  Not passively falling, but racing to the bottom with all her might.  And yet, it was in these times of moral bankruptcy and degeneracy that God called His people back to justice and righteousness.  Like a single raindrop in the ocean, Amos’ single voice of truth was crying out in the vast sea of decay.  And the message was simple; justice and righteousness.  Justice; to do that is right and fitting.  To obey the ordinances of God.  To return to a heart that is softened to the truth and obedient to proper worship of God.  To uphold a standard of truth.  In addition, justice holds a meaning of judgement and retribution too.  Should a nation fail at justice, destruction by its own hand will ever be near, and judgment by God will be unavoidable.  But when we return to God, the promise is not that justice will fall like a single raindrop, but that it will fall like a waterfall, cleansing the land, rolling over the decay as flood waters wash away the refuse of a landscape of squalor.  Next righteousness; there is nothing that will cleanse the hearts and minds of the people like righteousness.  And of course, we cannot manufacture righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.  If we seek any righteousness on our own it will only produce filth.  Therefore, we must seek the righteousness that is from Christ.  The ever-flowing river of God’s grace continually covers our own worthlessness with the worthiness of the Lamb of God!  First, let us return to justice and righteousness as the people of God.  May we bear the name of Christ, not as hypocrites, but as those dedicated to the service and fidelity to our Lord and Savior.  Next, we are given a similar task as Amos;  to stand up for justice and righteousness in the midst of moral degeneracy.  But our message is the message of the Gospel!  The Gospel has the power not only to change the heart of one single person, but like a river of endless mercy, grace and love, the Gospel has, and will continue to have the power cleanse the hearts of millions!  Therefore, shout the Gospel with compassion and boldness and always stand firm in the truth dear friends.  Never wavering, never remaining silent.  The only force powerful enough to stay the tide of ever-encroaching darkness is the cleansing River of Life, our savior Jesus Christ!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor John