In a a commencement speech, actor Denzel Washington says, “Put God first, in everything you do.” He says if you want to do what you think he has done, it starts with putting God first and sticking with Him. Denzel says that everything he has accomplished is by the grace of God.
This is something the Israelites forgot, and God sent Amos, and simple farmer from the southern kingdom of Israel, to warn the rich, complacent Israelites in the northern kingdom that their wealth and prosperity had blinded them to their spiritual poverty and need for God. Amos prophesized during a time of national optimism in Israel when business was booming, but greed and injustice were bubbling below the surface.
The people had become spiritually lax, replacing true worship with hypocritical practices, and Amos warned that judgment would come to the people and land because of injustice, oppression, and superficial worship.
But there was also hope in his message. All things work together for the good of those who believe and return to the heart of God’s law. We can always come back to God, and He will always be waiting for us to return to Him. True worship and the blessings from God are about inward transformations and not outward rituals.
In Proverbs 3:6, it is written, “In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your success.”
No matter how many awards you win, promotions you earn, or money you make, never forget to put God first in everything you do. But do so in a real, authentic way. God is not impressed by empty sacrifices. What truly matters to Him is our hearts and our actions. He desires justice to flow freely, righteousness to prevail, and compassion to guide our lives.
SOMETHING(s) TO THINK ABOUT
1 - What is your biggest takeaway from the story of Amos?
2 - In what ways do you/can you put God first?
3 - Do you do things only for selfish gain, or do you try to do things the right way and for the right reasons?
4 - How can you help make your world and the people in it a better, more equitable and just place?
My prayer
Our, Father. Thank you for the blessings I have. In my journey, please help me seek you first in everything I do, and please help me identify ways to help the people around me do so as well. As I continue to live and hopefully climb, please help me do so in a way that is pleasing to you, and please help me show the world that I seek you first and the power of doing so. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen.
For a printable PDF version of this post, click here: Amos: Justice and Mercy
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