Amos 1-5: Amos is not a book many of us open to for great encouragement, but we should read it with eyes toward our own nation. Israel was in a time of prosperity and in their prosperity they forgot God and treated the poor and needy badly. It wasn’t just Israel that Amos spoke against, but most of his words were for them. As Amos addressed each nation he used the same format.
“For three transgressions of _______________,
and for four, I will not revoke the punishment,
because they have…”
Each of the 5 countries were given their “punishment”. As I read through these words, I thought how If Amos had been the prophet for America he would have said something like this.

“For the three transgressions of America and for four” This just means that we just like the other nations have fallen into a sin pattern. It wasn’t just one or two sins, we are not turning from our sinful ways
“I will not revoke the punishment, because they have” chosen to satisfy themselves instead of turning to God. They have chosen to take the life of innocent babies. They have chosen the gods of convenience, comfort, money, and self over the One true God.
To these things we would have to say guilty. We like Israel have chosen to leave our dependency and love for God instead choosing our dependency on self and our money and possessions. We take Him and His provision for granted.

Our punishment is easy to see. We are driven by greed and selfish desires. Our country is experiencing violence, hatred, conflict, and insecurity. Fear is the basis for so many things not love or care for others. We are self seekers who are more concerned for our own needs than the poor around us. This isn’t how it was meant to be. It doesn’t have to be this way now. The answer is the same as it was for Amos’ generation. Turn back to God before it is too late. The sad part is that it usually takes a tragedy to bring us back to God. Things that used to be a tragedy and push us towards Him have become common place so that it will take something even greater to humble us as a nation. My heart breaks to consider what that might be.

No matter how the world around me responds I choose today and plan to keep choosing to honor the Lord with my whole heart. I pray that others will find me to be a person who deeply loves and points them to Jesus. I pray in the darkness and despair people will want the Light of the Gospel in me. I pray that though I walk through my own valleys that people will see the hope of the Gospel in me. May Jesus be glorified even in the darkness that surrounds and be drawn to HIM!