Come Back and Live

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

You’ve got to hand it to the Old Testament prophets, they didn’t mince their words. They just opened their mouths and let it rip! Maybe that’s why I enjoy reading the Old Testament. You don’t have to second guess where they were coming from.

Amos is one of my favorites. Amos was God’s messenger at a time when Israel worshipped at altars and shrines to false gods. God longed for His people to turn back to Him, but He stayed true to His loving covenant with them: blessing when they obeyed and discipline when they didn’t [Deuteronomy 28.1, 15]. So, we’re not surprised that the Children of Israel suffered famine, drought, mildew, locusts, plagues, and death as punishment for their unfaithfulness [Amos 4.6-10].

Eventually, God would speak through His messenger. And when Amos opened his mouth, he voiced God’s greatest desire for His people: “Come back to the LORD and live!”

When we, like the Israelites in Amos’ day, stray from our single-hearted devotion to God, when our hearts are not inclined toward Him, we may also suffer the painful consequences of our sins. Let the words of Amos thunder from the past, “Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed” [Amos 5.14]. 

Never doubt the love that God has for you. Don’t become bitter in the pain because of your sin. Instead, “Come back to the LORD and live!” Healing and restoration awaits those who do.

Come back to the LORD and live! Otherwise, He will roar through Israel like a fire, devouring you completely. Your gods in Bethel won’t be able to quench the flames. Amos 5.6