DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Prophets and Peacemakers
by Judy Webb
The life of a prophet must have been a very difficult one. Prophets like Jeremiah and Daniel and Amos, were humans who spoke on God’s behalf. Many of the prophets were called to get their people to turn from their sinful ways and turn back to God. These men loved God and desired to serve Him, so when the people turned their backs on their pleas, it broke their hearts. They understood how God would deal with these people, and they did all they could to turn things around, to restore the relationships.
The Book of Amos is quite convicting, frightening even. Amos 1:2 shakes things up right from the start: “The Lord roars from Zion and thunders from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds dry up, and the top of Carmel withers.” After listing all the sins of the people against God, verses 2:13-14 declare: “Now then, I will crush you.” Each following chapter paints a picture of pain and suffering predicted by God to his people who have turned their backs.
Amos 5:9 continues: “With a blinding flash he destroys the stronghold and brings the fortified city to ruin.” Go ahead and read all this book and see if you don’t recognize parts of our world today. It’s a scary picture; each chapter seems to take us from bad to worse…until chapter 9:11-15 when restoration is described, and a remnant is spared—those faithful few found worthy by God Almighty.
The message of Amos, though daunting and distressing throughout most of the chapters, ends with a word of hope, salvation and restoration. Isn’t that what we hope for as well. Don’t we pray that our country will turn back to God and continue the path our forefathers began. Raise your hand if you want our nation to be focused on unity as the norm and love and forgiveness to be natural. One day…
“See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19)
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
There is so much unrest and shouting in our world. Oh, that you would silence the noise and fill our hearts and homes with Your love. Come Holy Spirit, change us, renew us, and transform our ways to be Your ways too. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JUDY WEBB
I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.
I am raising my hand!! Thank you for this devotion!!