Today’s Reading, Amos 1-5
Focal Scripture: Amos 4:2 “The Lord God has sworn by his holiness: Look, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, every last one of you with fishhooks.”
The last several days have revealed just how easy it is for a nation to show its dark side. Never in a million years would I think that people would justify and even celebrate the death of another person who was tragically killed. To be very honest with you I have had a very difficult time processing these events from a variety of standpoints. As a believer witnessing pure hatred and evil in action. As a pastor, hurting for people who are searching for answers and wondering if they will attend a church that makes much of Jesus. As a husband and father concerned for my family because of our faith in Christ.
In today’s reading we see the prophet Amos talk about the social and spiritual corruption of the people. The wording he used here is very interesting. He says the day is coming when the people will be taken away by hooks, fishhooks to be precise. Why does that matter? Because what they were following became ingrained in them and got stuck. They were pulled away by false doctrine and beliefs.
This is what has happened in our society. People have been taught to believe that was is right is bad and what is bad is good. They believe that hate is justified because you disagree with a person. Having biblical values socially and spiritually is now viewed as hostility and even violent rhetoric.
So what are we to do? We can’t get pulled away by the fishhooks of secularism. This ideology is opposed to the gospel. The true gospel is one that loves people and cares for others. This is done practically and by telling others about the life changing gospel that is founded in Christ. Our goal is to make sure we don’t get pulled away by the world’s hooks.
So are you free of hooks? Has the world gotten ahold of you? If so I challenge you to give everything you have over to Christ. Know him on a deep and profound level. Be pulled towards truth and not evil. Be like Christ in all you do by speaking the truth in love.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Amos 6-9 & Obadiah 1
