April 14, 2011 (Amos 6-9)

We are being duped by the enemy. I really feel like God is calling us to be a people that are more committed to Him - a people that live differently because of our faith. That may be a stretch to find that in this passage, but I feel it applies:

^6:4 How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds
      and lounge on your couches,
   eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock
      and of choice calves fattened in the stall.
 ⁵ You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp
      and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.
 ⁶ You drink wine by the bowlful
      and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.
      You care nothing about the ruin of your nation.
 ⁷ Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives.
      Suddenly, all your parties will end.

We are at God's mercy. He does whatever He pleases.

^9:4 Even if their enemies drive them into exile,
      I will command the sword to kill them there.
   I am determined to bring disaster upon them
      and not to help them.”

 ⁵ The Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
      touches the land and it melts,
      and all its people mourn.
   The ground rises like the Nile River at floodtime,
      and then it sinks again.

God loves all of His creation.

^9:7 “Are you Israelites more important to me
      than the Ethiopians?” asks the Lord.
   “I brought Israel out of Egypt,
      but I also brought the Philistines from Crete
      and led the Arameans out of Kir.

 ⁸ “I, the Sovereign Lord,
      am watching this sinful nation of Israel.
   I will destroy it
      from the face of the earth.
   But I will never completely destroy the family of Israel,”
      says the Lord.
 ⁹ “For I will give the command
      and will shake Israel along with the other nations
   as grain is shaken in a sieve,
      yet not one true kernel will be lost.
 ¹⁰ But all the sinners will die by the sword—
      all those who say, ‘Nothing bad will happen to us.’

He is aching for His people to be the light and salt of the earth - to be 'a peculiar people' that will show His glory to those around them. God, help me to be that person.