After God sends the promised devastating judgement on the persistently unrepentant among his people, God promises a beautiful and lasting restoration for the faithful remnant. God promises that he will bring Beauty from Ashes for Israel that will ultimately bless the whole world. This week we will look at the final verses of the book of Amos to see God’s restoration, expansion, blessing, and security for his people – a promise that finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ.

The book of Amos ends with two visions in chapter 9: one of judgment and one of restoration. This week we’re looking at the message of judgment in which Israel literally has Nowhere to Hide. We’ll see how that eventually played out in their exile to Assyria. But even in judgment, God promises rescue for a faithful remnant. Do we sometimes get complacent thinking God is not so concerned with our everyday actions? May we constantly have God’s heart and God’s will as the guide for our lives.

Amos 7 is about God’s Mercy, God’s Measuring, and God’s Messenger. As Amos stands between God and Israel, he receives clear revelation from God that should be clear to Israel as well. We finally have a story in Amos (the rest is prophetic revelation) that shows how the leaders of Israel were tired of the message to repent. How often do we get tired of God’s Word simply because it’s not what we want to hear? May we be open to hearing and heeding God’s Measuring Standard.

God speaks a word of woe through Amos to those who are satisfied with their comfort when people around them are suffering. It is a woe to the complacent. If nothing changes, God promises to turn the tables. This week we’ll look at Amos’ words through the lens of one of Jesus’ stories at the end of Luke 16. May we not be lulled into complacency when it comes to following our Lord.

All of us pursue justice and righteousness at least from time to time. Often we’re content with that, and we’re content when our leaders do that. God’s heart is not for periodic justice and righteousness, rather God calls us to “let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24) May we as a church be refreshing streams to those around us!