Day 47: Amos 9:6
Devotional
READ AMOS 9:6
Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer from the Southern Kingdom, Judah. The book of Amos is a collection sermons, poems, and visions from Amos to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, ruled by Jeroboam II at the time. Here in chapter 9, we see that judgement is coming for the Israelites, because they had allowed social injustice and idolatry to run rampant in their land. God was tired of it, and so he sent Amos to prophecy against them.
In verse six, we’re reminded that judgment is coming from the Creator of the universe. The same God who created the world is the same God that has redeemed you and me. And that same God has control over everything, since He is Lord of all. He had called the Israelites to a higher calling, since they were His people. But they were not striving after it, and as a result, judgment was coming. Their position had not changed, but their lack of fellowship with God required intervention.
We cannot forget our calling. Our relationship with God and our position as a child of God has not, and will not, change. We’ve been justified by His grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, as the church, we’ve also been given a calling that we should not forget. The Bible tells us that we will give an account for how we have lived our lives. While our place in Heaven is sealed by faith alone, it matters how we live our lives.
God has called you and me to live differently than the world around us, to live a life that displays and reflects Christ through the example we set. Being justified before God is not the finish line, but the start of eternity with God. It is the start of a new life, and it should look different. Lord, help us to look more like you day by day, and to live out our calling the best we can.
Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer from the Southern Kingdom, Judah. The book of Amos is a collection sermons, poems, and visions from Amos to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, ruled by Jeroboam II at the time. Here in chapter 9, we see that judgement is coming for the Israelites, because they had allowed social injustice and idolatry to run rampant in their land. God was tired of it, and so he sent Amos to prophecy against them.
In verse six, we’re reminded that judgment is coming from the Creator of the universe. The same God who created the world is the same God that has redeemed you and me. And that same God has control over everything, since He is Lord of all. He had called the Israelites to a higher calling, since they were His people. But they were not striving after it, and as a result, judgment was coming. Their position had not changed, but their lack of fellowship with God required intervention.
We cannot forget our calling. Our relationship with God and our position as a child of God has not, and will not, change. We’ve been justified by His grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, as the church, we’ve also been given a calling that we should not forget. The Bible tells us that we will give an account for how we have lived our lives. While our place in Heaven is sealed by faith alone, it matters how we live our lives.
God has called you and me to live differently than the world around us, to live a life that displays and reflects Christ through the example we set. Being justified before God is not the finish line, but the start of eternity with God. It is the start of a new life, and it should look different. Lord, help us to look more like you day by day, and to live out our calling the best we can.
Personal Reflection
- What does your fellowship with Jesus currently look like?
- How are you doing living in the calling the Lord has placed on your life as a believer in Christ? Does it look different from the world around you?
- What adjustments need to be made in your life to prioritize your relationship with Jesus?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
3 Comments
It is easy to take my focus off of what God has called me to do and on to distractions of the world. It is a great privilege to be called by the creator of the world. Thanks for the challenge to remain focused on what he has for me.
Faith is made evident by our actions and lifestyle (James 2:20).
Great devotional, by the way!