Amos 9:14-15
“I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild their ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall replant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,” says the Lord your God.
Amos is a challenging book for me. Rather than move me to repentance or compassion, my first reaction is to hop on the judgement bandwagon and cheer the destruction of the corrupt, self-righteous, and greedy. “Go, God! You get ‘em!”
I don’t feel this way only toward historical Syria, Judah, and Israel. My mind quickly applies God’s judgement to today. To oligarchs who promote their own interests over and at the expense of the middle class and poor. To politicians who tolerate, if not actively participate in the abuse of governmental powers when it suits them and in the destruction of democratic institutions when it suits them – all with disregard for truth, justice, and the public’s welfare.
I quickly judge other Christians who quote scripture and claim direct revelation and guidance from God while the fruit of their words and actions are void of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I judge Christians who claim to love and follow God above all but who reject God’s command to love others (especially, those who are different). This judgement really feels good!
But then...God’s spirit convicts me. Where is the Spirit in my judgement? Do others see the fruit of the Spirit in and through me?
If I’m honest, I must confess that, like the Syrians, Judaeans, and Israelites, like greedy oligarchs, power-hungry politicians, and all-knowing Christians, I am guilty. I daresay I am guilty of all the same sins, directly or indirectly, by action or inaction, in small measure or large; I am guilty. Lord, help me!
Over the course of some years now, I have struggled to trust and rest in God. Bit by bit, I’ve allowed myself to be drawn into worry and fear. It has been the result of my refusal to accept God’s word and sovereignty and love. Sounds like what Amos said about Israel.
Praise be to God, however, there is encouragement! As it was 2,800 years ago, it remains today and always. God tells us, “I will restore the fortunes of my people, and they will rebuild their lives in safety; they will prosper and enjoy abundance; I will establish them and secure them, and they shall never be moved.”
In these days filled with so much food for fear, God reminds us through Amos that whatever comes, we are God’s, we are secure, we have been given the abundance of the fruit of God’s presence and sufficiency; no one, no circumstance, no threat, no fear, no force, no future can defeat us. We just need to not surrender.
Dear God, you are our creator, sustainer, protector, provider, confidant, counselor, encourager, enabler, empower-er. Don’t let us forget. Help us rest in you. And in so resting, produce the fruit of your Spirit in and through us. Amen.
-David Moorman
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