Jesus is my High Priest. I must admit I don’t think of that description or role very often. I think of him as my Savior and my Lord, my Creator and my Provider. Yet, how wonderful this morning to just stop and soak in how Jesus has become the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him – that He goes to His Father on my behalf. Yes, Jesus is my High Priest!

What is a high priest?

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs (Hebrews 5:1-3).

How does a person become a high priest?

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be CALLED BY GOD for this work, just as Aaron was. This is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, HE WAS CHOSEN BY GOD, who said to him,

“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.” – Hebrews 5:4-5

What does Jesus do for us in his role as High Priest?

In this role, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him (5:9).

Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek (6:18b-20).

There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf (7:23-25).

Jesus, my Lord and my Savior, thank you for being my High Priest. Thank you for becoming the sacrifice for my sins and then stepping before me to present me to Your Father. Lord, thank you for dying for me and for interceding for me. To you be all praise and glory forever, Amen!

“…through the Son he created the universe” – Hebrews 1:2b. The writer of Hebrews preaches an incredible sermon in the first four chapters. I love the flow of these four very powerful points he makes.

1. Jesus participated in the creation of the world therefore, He is our Creator.

He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands” (1:10).

But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise that the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God (3:3-4).

2. Jesus, who created flesh and blood, became flesh and blood so that He could die for our sins and set us free from death.

Because God’s children are human beings – made of flesh and blood – the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying (2:14-15).

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people (2:16-17).

3. Because He was human, experiencing suffering and temptations like we do, He is able to understand our weaknesses.

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested (2:18).

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (4:14-16).

4. Just as He shared in our sufferings, He generously gives us the opportunity to share in everything that belongs to Him – to enter into His rest.

But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ (3:6).

For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ (3:14).

For only we who believe can enter his rest…

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” – Hebrew 4:3a,6-7

God’s rest is not something we can earn by our own efforts but is a result of our faith in God and our trust in Him – that we believe He created us, became flesh for us, died for us and rose to life for us.

For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from THEIR labors, just as God did after creating the world (4:10a).

God, we praise you for sending your Son to radiate your own glory and to be an expression of your character (1:3)! Jesus, we thank you for your willingness to become a man for your guilty creation. We do not deserve what you have done for us but, by your grace (2:9), you died for us anyhow. Christ Jesus, you have displayed your love for us and your understanding. You have set an example that we do not have to sin – that we can face temptations and suffering yet win the battle through the same strength of God you used to remain without sin.

God, we thank you for your word we have the privilege of studying this morning. Your words are alive and powerful – sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from you, God. Everything is naked and exposed before your eyes. You, oh God, hold us accountable (4:12-13).

Precious God, we lay it all out before you this morning knowing that you understand our weaknesses and have extended your mercy and grace to help us when we need it the most. Thank you for this kind of love – for this kind of grace! We give today to you – our creator and our savior! Today, we choose to hear your voice and rest in you! Amen.

Have you ever felt ill-equipped to pray? One of my favorite ways to pray is by praying Scripture. I love to take the words of the Psalmist and make them my own – my own praise, my own confession and repentance, my own petitions and my own commitment to totally yielding my life to God.

Will you pray this prayer with me today?

PRAISE

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens (Psalm 8:1).

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place –
Who am I that you should think of me? Who am I that you should care? – (8:3-4)

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me (3:3-5).

Lord, I know that I have been set apart for you. I know with confidence that you will answer me when I call to you (4:3)

I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (7:17).

REPENT

Lord, look deep within my mind and heart. Show me if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause (7:3-4,9).

O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
Heal me, Lord…restore me.
Return, O Lord, and rescue me.
Save me because of your unfailing love (6:1-4).

Lord, have mercy on me (9:13).

Lord, forgive me when I sin by letting anger control me. See the spirit with which I repent this morning and know that I truly am trusting in you to grow me into the holy child of God you created me to be. Let your face smile on me, O Lord. Fill my heart with peace as I lie down and sleep knowing that you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe (4:4-8).

ASK

Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer (4:1)

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly (5:3).

Lord, watch over my path today as I choose the path of the godly over the path of the wicked (1:6).

Lead me in the right path, O Lord…Make your way plain for me to follow (5:8).

Spread your protection over us that we who love your name may be filled with joy. Surround us with your shield of love (5:11b-12).

YIELD

Lord, I find delight in spending time in our word today. I commit to meditating on your scriptures day and night so that I can remain along your riverbank, nourished by you and equipped by you to bear fruit today (1:2-3).

Lord, I will serve you today in reverent fear, rejoice with trembling, and submit to your Son. I will take refuge in you knowing that in that refuge I will find joy (2:11-12).

Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever (5:11a).

This morning I read through the prophecies of the prophet Zephaniah. He told of the coming judgment – of the day of the Lord. He spoke of how our jealous God would punish the wicked but how God’s faithful people would enjoy the home He has prepared for them.

“I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord…
“I will crush Judah and Jerusalem with my fist and destroy every last trace of their Baal worship.
I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.
For they go up to their roofs and bow down to the sun, moon and stars.
They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too.
And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now longer do.
They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance or seek my blessings.”
Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord’s judgment is near. – Zephaniah 1:2,4-7

This Scripture gets my attention when I think of the way our nation is pulling away from the foundations of faith on which it was built. “In God we Trust” was our motto but now prayer is vanishing from our places of government. There is a pride and self-reliance that has taken the place of yesterday’s humility and calling upon the Lord for strength.

“I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.” – Zephaniah 1:12

What can we do? What would be God’s call to His people today? Perhaps similar to what He called His people to do in the days of the prophet Zephaniah:

Gather together – yes, gather together, you shameless nation.
Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff.
Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.
Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands.
Seek to do what is right and to live humbly.
Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you – protect you from his anger on the day of destruction (2:1-3).

We can come together and unite our voices in petition and repentance for our nation. We can ask the Lord to remain with us and help us to turn the hearts of our nation back to Him. I found these verses encouraging:

But the Lord is still there in the city…
“Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid!
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” (3:5a,16-17)

“On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again.” – Zephaniah 3:20a

My heart rejoices and I find myself singing Chris Tomlin’s song “God of This City”:
You’re the God of this City
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are

You’re the Light in this darkness
You’re the Hope to the Hopeless
You’re the Peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

How long, O Lord, must I call for help?
But you do not listen!
“Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save.
Must I forever see these evil deeds?
Why must I watch all this misery?
Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.
I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.
The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts.
The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. – Habakkuk 1:2-4

Have you ever prayed a similar prayer? I definitely have. The news can be so discouraging and I ask God where He is in all of it. I ask Him to see all of the sorrow and injustice, as if He isn’t already looking. I tell Him my heart is breaking, as if His heart isn’t even more broken than mine.

190 teachers were pink-slipped in Peoria’s District 150 yesterday…
14 students were wounded at a Texas community college yesterday when a student went on a stabbing rampage…
Media have stopped their coverage of the trial of an abortionist accused of murdering seven babies and one woman…
Women have the right to abort but teachers do not have the right to pray aloud in their classroom…
Teenagers can obtain an abortion without parental consent but the government is considering taking away the right of parents to homeschool…
Increased spending, tax hikes, social security cuts…
Access to emergency contraceptives becomes a right for children, teens and women while the right to own and carry a gun is at risk…

God help us. See what is happening all around us. Where are you God? Are you listening?

“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed!
For I AM DOING SOMETHING in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it.” – Habakkuk 1:5

God answer: Look around! There is evidence of my movement all around! I am never without a plan. Don’t try to fix the world around you of your own strength – trust in ME. Look for ME and seek MY plan. Be willing to do what I ask you, instead of depending on yourself. Be a part of MY plan instead of forcing your own.

“But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god…
Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” – Habakkuk 1:11b, 2:4

Let’s make Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter 3 our prayer today, speaking it from our own hearts:

Lord, we have heard all about you and we are filled with awe by your amazing works.
In our time of deepest need, help us again just as you have in years past.
In your anger, remember your mercy.
We see YOU moving!!!
Was it in anger that you struck the rivers and parted the sea?
Were you displeased with them?
No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!
Lord, may your action save us and save our nation instead of destroying us for our sins.
Oh God, we trust in you!
Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines;
Even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren;
Even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Amen.

We see in the book of Nahum that the city of Ninevah again turned to wickedness. The prophet Nahum declared God’s judgment on the city – the city that was rich and appeared to the world as beautiful, but was full of evil. A city of murder and lies!

What sorrow awaits Nineveh, the city of murder and lies!
She is crammed with wealth and is never without victims.
Hear the crack of whips, the rumble of wheels!
Horses’ hooves pound, and charioteers charge past!
There are countless casualties, heaps of bodies – so many bodies that people stumble over them.
All this because Nineveh, the beautiful and faithless city, mistress of deadly charms, enticed the nations with her beauty.
She taught them all her magic, enchanting people everywhere.

“I am your enemy!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“And now I will lift your skirts and show all the earth your nakedness and shame.
I will cover you with filth and show the world how vile you really are.
All who see you will shrink back and say, ‘Nineveh lies in ruins. Where are the mourners?’
Does anyone regret your destruction?” – Nahum 3:1-7

Scriptures like this convince me that God will someday put an end to the abortion industry. They glamourize themselves and collect their riches, but God sees that they are surrounded by those they have killed – He hears the cries of the babies who never had the chance to be born. He hears the cries of the men and women who have been deceived and lied to.

The Abortion Industry has convinced society to consider abortion socially acceptable, a good option for women. The government pours money into their pockets. Good organizations like Susan G. Komen have been caught in their web of deceit and cannot get out unharmed. Every year, well-meaning individuals raise money for the cause of breast cancer research, only to have their money go to an industry that profits from the death of 1.3 million babies a year in the US.

The stench of death surrounds us and the world continues to shout their praises. But God, God will sweep over his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night (1:8).

The Lord is a jealous God, filled with vengeance and rage.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him and continues to rage against his enemies!
The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished…
In his presence the mountains quake, and the hills melt away;
The earth trembles, and its people are destroyed.
Who can stand before his fierce anger?
Who can survive his burning fury?
His rage blazes forth like fire, and the mountains crumble to dust in his presence. – Nahum 1:1-3a,5-6

Lord, we thank you for being a God of power – a God aware of the hurts, pains and injustices of this world. Lord, forgive us as a nation who allows and promotes the death of those who cannot defend themselves. Strengthen us and equip us to protect with the power of Your love and to speak Your truth to this lost and dying world. Expose evil empires that veil themselves as if to appear beautiful. Lord, break our hearts over what breaks yours and calm our troubled hearts. Oh God, we trust in You for You are the God of love and the God of justice. Amen.

The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.
He is close to those who trust in him (1:7)

Up! Begone!
This is no longer your land and home, for you have filled it with sin and RUINED it completely (Micah 2:10).

God had made a covenant with His people and they had ignored their promises and His faithfulness. He brought them out of Egypt to the land of Canaan, yet they chose to walk away from His plan for them. They REJECTED God and demanded an earthly king. He told them to serve Him only and to have no other gods before Him, yet they worshipped false gods and bowed to idols. They put themselves on the throne where God was meant to reign. The result – RUINS!

I will bring you to RUIN for all your sins.
You will eat but never have enough.
Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain.
And though you try to save money, it will come to nothing in the end…
You will plant crops but not harvest them.
You will press your olives but not get enough oil to anoint yourselves.
You will trample the grapes but get no juice to make your wine…
I will make an example of you, bring you to complete RUIN (6:13-16a).

God’s people used His covenant with them as an excuse to sin. They said, “No harm will come to us for the Lord is here among us” (3:11). Micah’s response to them, his call to RIGHTEOUSNESS – not their own effort to save themselves but their submission to God’s call to be righteous:

“Listen, you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil…Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble! Do you really expect him to answer? After all the evil you have done, he won’t even look at you!” – Micah 3:1,4

God had a message for His people – one of REBUKE and REDEMPTION:

“O my people, what have I done to you?
What have I done to make you tired of me?
Answer me!
For I brought you out of Egypt and REDEEMED you from slavery.
I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to help you.
Don’t you REMEMBER…
REMEMBER your journey…
When I, the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about my faithfulness.” – Micah 6:3-5

The response of God’s people was REMORSE. They REPENTED of their sins and inquired of the necessary RETRIBUTION:

What can we bring to the Lord?
What kind of offerings should we give him?
Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves?
Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? – (6:6-7)

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he REQUIRES of you:
to do what is right,
to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

But among the RUINS was a RAY OF HOPE – a promise that God would again RESCUE and RESTORE His people:

“Someday, O Israel, I will gather the remnant who are left.
I will bring you together again like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture.
Yes, your land will again be filled with noisy crowds!
Your leader will break out and lead you out of exile, out through the gates of the enemy cities, back to your own land.
Your king will lead you; the Lord himself will guide you.” – Micah 2:12-13

I love this RESPONSE to the hope given by God:

As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me…
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him (7:7-9).

The LORD gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the LORD by sailing to Tarshish. – Jonah 1:1-3

Why do we think we can outrun God? He creates this perfect plan for our lives and we whine, complain and argue that there is a better way. We expect God’s plan to look one way and then there is what seems to us to be a change of plans and we rebel. We were content doing what He had asked us to do where He had asked us to do it, but now He is moving us to a new ministry, a new home, a new call. We hope to escape from what He is asking us to do but God pursues us because He loves us!

But the LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart (1:4).

God stood between Jonah and Jonah’s alternative plan and got his attention. After trying everything else, the crew on the ship threw Jonah overboard at his suggestion, for all of them knew that Jonah was running from the Lord. God had a plan, God intervened in Jonah’s life and now God had a way to get Jonah back on track. Granted this was probably not a way Jonah would have chosen but Jonah was the one who was on a sidetrack from the Lord’s will.

Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights (1:17).

Jonah recognized God’s intervention and prayed from inside the belly of the fish. Jonah was still not where he wanted to be and still not in a comfortable place in life, yet he knew God was at work and thanked Him for hearing his cry for help. He promised God that he would once more look toward God’s holy temple instead of running the opposite direction.

“I cried out to the LORD in my great trouble,
and he answered me.
I called to you from the land of the dead,
and LORD, you heard me!
You threw me into the ocean depths,
and I sank down to the heart of the sea.
The mighty waters engulfed me;
I was buried beneath YOUR wild and stormy waves.
Then I said, ‘O LORD, you have driven me from your presence.
Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’ – Jonah 2:2-4

The Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach. As he promised, Jonah went to Ninevah and preached a message of judgment on the city of Ninevah. The people, including their king, started fasting and putting on burlap to show how sorry they were for their sins. God again changed the plan on Jonah. He forgave the people of Ninevah and did not carry out the destroy the city.

This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to theLORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, LORD! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.”

The LORD replied, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” – Jonah 4:1-4

Once again Jonah whines, complains and argues with God because he is not happy with God’s plan. He is more consumed with how this change in plans will make him look, more disappointed that the people will not be punished than he is thankful for God’s redemption. He goes outside of the city and sits under the shade of a plant to feel sorry for himself but God sends a worm and the plant dies, which angers Jonah. God asks him a very direct question that is a good question for me today – a question for all of us.

Then God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

Then the LORD said, “You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?” – Jonah 4:9-11

Oh the heart of a God who loves His creation! Lord, fill us with this same kind of love for others. Bring us to our knees in prayer for those who are lost. Get our attention. Forgive me when I whine and complain over Your plan because I like my plan better. Lord, no more running in the opposite direction. I embrace Your plan and Your way. Amen.

The book of Amos was not an easy book to read this morning. At one point, I wondered if there would be anything significant to pull out of it – I questioned whether or not God would have a message in it for me or for anyone else who might be sharing this morning coffee with me today. But God is faithful and His Scriptures are never insignificant.

The prophet Amos…well, that’s actually a good place to stop because Amos would not have considered himself a prophet. Amos was simply a shepherd with a heart open to doing anything God asked him to do, even if he felt unqualified for it. Here is what Amos had to say about his call from God:

“I’m not a professional prophet, and I was never trained to be one. I’m just a shepherd, and I take care of sycamore fig trees. But the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, ‘Go and prophesy to my people in Israel.’ – Amos 7:14-15

I love his heart! I love how Amos was just minding his own business, doing his thing, when God called him away to do his work, and Amos responding with a willing heart. This is in direct contrast to what was happening among God’s people at that time. Amos’ call was to speak of God’s judgment on His people. Here was God’s accusation against His people.

The behavior of God’s people, the nation of Israel & Judah as well as 6 other nations, could be narrowed down to three words – arrogance, selfishness, and pretense. The put their own selfish desires for luxury before the needs of others around them. They were abusive and oppressive to those who had less than they did – the weak, the needy, and the poor. They ignored the needs of others and filled their hunger for earthly possessions. Because of this, God’s judgment was going to fall HARD on these people.

This should be of significance for those of us who have been blessed with so much. God was clear in Amos’ prophecies that He was done with the arrogance of a nation who felt they were better than others. He was going to punish this selfish generation who put their own needs ahead of the needs of others. He was bringing judgment on those who continued to go through the motions of worship and the rituals of sacrifice but who were not living a lifestyle of sacrifice and worship.

God did not choose judgment before first drawing His people to Himself, but they would not listen.

“I brought hunger…but still you would not return to me…
I kept rain from falling when your crops needed it the most…but still you would not return to me…
I struck your farms and vineyards…but still you would not return to me…
I sent plagues…but still you would not return to me…
I destroyed some of your cities…but still you would not return to me…
THEREFORE I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced. Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!” – Amos 4:6-12

God is not part of this world and cannot be manipulated by it. He determines how people can come to him. Attending church regularly, paying tithe and going through the rituals of being a believer are not substitutes for a GENUINE heart.

“I hate all of your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.” – Amos 5:21-24

“You sing trivial songs to the sound of a harp and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David. You drink wine by the bowlful and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions. You care nothing about the ruin of your nation. Therefore, you will be the first to be led away as captives. Suddenly, all your parties will end.” – Amos 6:5-7

God’s people had a false notion of privilege. They continued to live a life of self-indulgence and spoke of how they were looking forward to the day of the Lord but they did not realize that the Lord was coming not to absolve their sinfulness but to punish them. They believed that the covenant God had made with His people allowed them to live as they pleased – arrogance, selfishness and pretense – but God required righteous living. They lived as if God owed them salvation and eternal life because of a decision made a long time ago. But God does not ignore sin (7:8). He calls His people to “Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live!…Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice” (5:14-15).

Lord, forgive us for our moments of arrogance when we think too much of ourselves and too little of others. Forgive us for living comfortably with all you have blessed us with while others around us are in need. Forgive us for our attitudes of privilege and expectations of rewards because of a decision we made a long time ago when we have not continued to live the righteous life you have called us to. Open our eyes and call us out of our own agendas for today. We desire to respond to your call on our lives and do whatever you are asking us to do. Thank you for being a God who loves us enough to draw us to Yourself. Thank you for your love and for your justice. Amen.

Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation. – Joel 1:3

This hard time that you are going through, this time of loss and mourning over what you used to have, pay attention for this is a time you need to tell your children about and they need to tell their children. For generations they will have this story of how the Lord is going to provide for you and bring you out of this valley of trouble, for it is a gateway to hope (Hosea 2:15).

The grapevines have dried up, and the fig trees have withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees – all the fruit trees – have dried up. And the people’s joy has dried up with them. – Joel 1:12

Everything that has sustained you and all that has given you pleasure is being taken away from you, it is drying up, and with it, your joy. You begin to wonder, “Is God really a merciful and loving God? Am I being punished for something?” God responds to your need for answers and confirms His identity to you. He instructs you on how to respond to this difficult time – this time of uncertainty.

Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. Bring the leaders and all the people of the land into the Temple of the Lord your God, and cry out to him there. – Joel 1:14

This is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is EAGER to relent and not punish. Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of a curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before. – Joel 2:12-14

God confirms who He is. Look back at all He has done for you over the years. Remember His faithfulness to you and know with confidence that He has more blessings to pour into your life.

Surely the Lord has done great things! Don’t be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things. Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field, for the wilderness pastures will soon be green. The trees will again be filled with fruit; fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more. Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring. The threshing floor will again be piled high with grain, and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.

The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. Once again you will have all the food you want and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you. – Joel 2:20b-26a

God is in the middle of all of this. None of this has caught Him by surprise. Remember His faithfulness and trust that He has great plans for your future, that your joy will not be dry forever but that you will rejoice again in how your God has provided during a difficult time. You will have a story of God’s provision and His redemption to tell your children and your children’s children.