August 11, 2023 - Amos 5-6

I ended, yesterday, with “And still, still, God shows grace!” the point being that, though Israel’s sin was great God’s grace was greater still. The Lord implored his people, “Seek me and live . . . Seek the Lord and live” (5:4-6), and this even though he could say to those same people, “I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins” (5:12). God’s entreaties to Israel just sort of boggle our minds. The nation was clear in its intentions: the people would not have God to be their Lord. They would not listen to his voice. They would not turn. They would not seek him. And, still, he calls out to them!

A contemporary of Amos, the prophet Isaiah, also pleaded on God’s behalf: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). You know, that is always the case, isn’t it? No matter how great our sin, the Lord receives, as did the father his prodigal son, the repentant sinner.

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,

There’s mercy with the Lord;

And He will surely give you rest,

By trusting in His word.

Only trust Him, only trust Him,

Only trust Him now;

He will save you, He will save you,

He will save you now. -- John H. Stockton (1874)