Amos 5:18-27

Hey New Life,

We are in the middle of Advent! Be reminded of the reason for the season, and be renewed in your faith! Our Daily Bible passage for today comes from Amos 5:18-27. This book takes place right before the Assyrian Exile. Israel became more and more corrupt, and God eventually let them go. This book focuses on the lack of justice within the nation.

Martin Luther King, Jr., quotes a verse in our passage (Amos 5:24) during his "I Have a Dream" speech during the Civil Rights Movement. We know that the leaders of Israel have been taking property from the poor, taking bribes in court, wronging the helpless, and remaining silent in the face of injustice.

God makes it clear in our passage that He doesn't delight in holidays (v. 21), services (v. 21), offerings (v. 22), and even songs (v. 23), if there is no justice. This means that mercy and justice are at the heart of who God is, and He desires for us to display such mercy and to pursue such justice.

We are able to do this for the least of these, because we were the least of these in our sin. We were helpless, poor, and voiceless. But Jesus became the least of these, the helpless, the poor, and the voiceless on the cross to show us mercy. He received the injustice of the cross, so we may receive the injustice of grace.

May we embody such justice and peace, not just during the holiday season but for our whole lives.

In Christ,
Pastor Tim

PS- Pastor Evan Kim will be continuing our "Imperfect Disciple" sermon series this Sunday! Please be praying for our worship and ministry!

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Malachi 2:1-16

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Hosea 14:1-9