Road Warriors: Amos—A Message of Justice - Wednesday
Amos 3:3
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (NLT)
Just about every week, someone engages me in a conversation about how lost and hopeless they believe our country is. It seems to me that people repeat what they constantly hear, then tend to believe what they constantly repeat.
Amos lived in such a time as ours. People were prosperous and powerful, so much so that they kicked God to the curb and rejoiced in their godlessness. Then Amos came along and predicted judgment. He basically said, “God’s had it up to here with you, and it’s all coming down like a house of cards.” In a few short years, his prophecy materialized—the Assyrians conquered Israel’s 10 northern tribes and assimilated them into foreign nations never to be heard from again. Guess what? America is headed in the same direction… but listen: I choose hope! And dear one, that’s a choice, not a feeling. Here are three reasons I’m hopeful:
We have the right message. In a world of competing messages, I believe Christians have the best truth source, the Bible. It tells of Jesus, who paid the price for our sins and then obliterated death’s power on Easter Sunday… and He offers to lead everyone who is willing to follow. “I care. Follow me. Trust me.” That’s His message, and I’ve made a settled choice, without regret, to believe it a day at a time. From my perspective, hope is a moral duty, not a pipe dream.
We can pray. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray… I will hear from Heaven… and will heal their land” (NIV). I’ll take that deal. You got a better idea? Prayer is the arm that moves the hand of God. Do it.
We have the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us. If you don’t know Him, make that priority #1 in your life. Start with Francis Chan’s challenging book, Forgotten God. Order it today. You can thank me later. Friends, we need not accept desperation when we can choose hope. What’s your choice?
Wednesday’s Reflection
Let’s stop being cultural warriors and start being cultural missionaries who follow the Holy Spirit, pray, hope, dream, and love big! We’re not tin soldiers, folks—we’re children of the King. Ours is a wonderful privilege. Let’s live like we believe that.
