Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Amos+008
Amos 8 (ESV)
11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God,
“when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water,
but of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
and from north to east;
they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord,
but they shall not find it.
13 “In that day the lovely virgins and the young men
shall faint for thirst.
14 Those who swear by the Guilt of Samaria,
and say, ‘As your god lives, O Dan,’
and, ‘As the Way of Beersheba lives,’
they shall fall, and never rise again.”
REFLECTION:
- The Israelites should not have spiritual hunger and thirst, because they have the word of God, the promise of God, and the presence of God. However, the prophets pointed out that on “that day” (the day of God’s wrath) their hunger and thirst are due to the loss of God and His Word (11). Although they try to seek God, they have lost that precious opportunity and cannot find Him.
- Although there are prophets like Amos who continue to announce the word of God, the people are indifferent. Because of their indifferent attitude, God said that He will take away the opportunity for them to listen to His words (12). Today, we have the word of God—the Bible, but many people are still looking for a way out of life outside the Bible. Therefore, you should introduce them to the Bible and quote various scriptures that address their needs and difficulties so that they can be helped. The word of God is always available. Let us all help others know God’s word, lest the time is up and they will no longer have the opportunity to know God.
PRAYER:
Oh God! May I pay attention to Your words, so that I know what I should do, and make me in awe of You, so that I can practice what I know in my life.
HYMN:
Hidden In My Heart – youtu.be/8eIcXYmMaTg
