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!

This section of Amos has a series of accusations and judgements from God against Israel. After that, God pleads 5 times for a response, and the section ends with God’s imminent warning: Prepare to Meet Your Maker. The situation is harsh, but through it all God’s heart and desire for his children comes through. God’s heart hasn’t changed: God still calls us to return to him in faith and in the pursuit of justice and righteousness. The Good News is that through Christ, our lives can be shaped to meet our Maker with confidence!

What does it take for God to get the attention of his children? When do they listen best? When are they most hard of hearing? Israel was not very receptive to God’s word through the prophet Amos, and this week we see Amos make the case that they should start paying close attention to the signs around them. Amos’ words call us to see the signs in our day. Are we receptive to God’s Word, or are we also prone to hear only what we want to hear?

It must have been comforting for Israel to hear God pronounce judgement on all her neighbor enemies, but was she ready to face the music herself? This week we see Israel delight in the speck in her brothers’ eyes, but it’s doubtful she’s going to recognize the log in her own. Will we? May we be moved by God’s sovereignty and God’s heart as we read God’s Bullseye of prophecies.