The first time I visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I wept. All that the museum offers beautifully and evocatively captures both the lament and celebration of current and historical moments. From the galleries filled with artifacts and interactive exhibits to the comfort of the restaurant’s multi-regional soul food cooking to the spaces thoughtfully designed for reflection and contemplation.
One of these spaces—called the Contemplative Court—is a large room with a wide, round opening at the top. A waterfall pours from this opening all the way down into a pool bordered by long, high-back marble benches. Each wall in the Contemplative Court, coppery bronze and overlaid with glass, bears a quote from a key historical figure. On one wall is a famous quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., which echoes a well-known verse from the book of Amos: “We are determined to work and fight until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” Whenever I visit the Contemplative Court, I make sure to sit on the bench facing that wall so the quote appears behind the waterfall. The sight and sound of streaming water create a powerful experience, intensifying my longing for the reality of those words. That image kept coming to mind as our team created this reading plan.
The book of Amos gives us God’s view of justice and righteousness, primarily through Israel’s failure to practice them. They have exploited the poor for economic benefit. They have ignored and mistreated the most vulnerable members of their communities. And they have committed idolatry and other sinful actions. The imagery and sharp tone of Amos carry strong emotion, revealing God’s heart of righteousness and justice for all people. While God’s judgment warns punishment, it is also a prompt to return to Him. He shouts in Amos 5:4, “Seek me and live!”
That’s the call that rings throughout the centuries to us today. The book of Amos invites us to sit in the tension of the brokenness we have experienced and even perpetuated. But it’s not for guilt’s sake. God’s imperative to “let justice flow like water, and righteousness, like an unfailing stream” (Amos 5:24) is an invitation to life!
I pray that during your time in the book of Amos you’ll also be prompted to lament the ways that you have turned from God and lean into Him even more. And that you would ultimately experience the refreshing, freeing, joyful, and abundant life that only God can give.
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100 thoughts on "His Voice Is Heard"
So nice to read the positive, and powerful truth of the word of God today.
I seek the father and Lord
Just what I needed on a Monday morning. “SEEK HIM AND LIVE” ❣️
This house allowed me to understand that no matter how alone I feel he will always see what I’m going through and have a reasoning on why
The righteous will Live by Faith.
I had a student who had been sexually molested and was angry. She was soooo angry…breaking pencils, avoiding work. She shared with me that she shared that she had been to court and the court did not believe her. It brought tears to my eyes. I tried to comfort her by telling her that God is the ultimate judge- that he loves her and will bring justice to the man who hurt her. We created a deep bond that year.
This first devotional has me hooked already. It makes my guilt turn into drawing near to God.
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I honestly don’t know what God has in store for United States. His living, breathing, life-giving Word of Spirit and Life has been here for more than 200 years. Jesus, the only way to the Father is the only way that we, as a nation and state truly desperately need to believe and submit our wills to both God and Jesus, repent, renounce our wicked ways and ask forgiveness
I love the reminder here that when we experience the “tension of brokenness”, it’s not because God wants us to feel guilt and sit in shame…it’s because God wants to bring us to back to life! He is not a God who throws guilt on us but invites us to come and live in His goodness. The brokenness hurts but when we look to Him, He brings beauty from the ashes.
Amen, I just started this reading plan and I ask God for the Grace to finish and to be able to learn and think about my life and how I can improve and change ❤️❤️
Reading these passages today, reminded me that I serve the God who Sees. I live overseas and there are so many injustices here that are tolerated in ways they never would be at home. Gender-based abortion is common and goes unseen and unaddressed by the society here. But it’s comforting to me to be reminded that all of the horrible things committed here do not go unseen and unpunished by my God! He sees all of those sins here AND He sees the hearts that are turning to Him in the midst of all of this.
I needed this for it being the first day of June that is going to feel like a long month in my workplace. And so I loved the part in this where God’s judgement warns of a punishment, but also a prompt to come to Him! Like I don’t know how this month is going to play out in terms of how my coworkers act and dress, but I do know that should the conversation arise I will stand firm in my faith and encourage those that are lost to turn to Him. This can obviously go for so many other people, but this hit hard tonight as I reflect on the things I seen and heard about today for “pride” month.
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I could not agree more! As a country we have committed every single thing that brought judgment on the nations in the beginning of amos. It makes me curious to see what god has in store for the US if we do not change our ways.
Much love to you mama, I am in a similar situation with my 20 year old child. Also led with my fears rather than love. It’s a hard road but you are right, God and therapy!
This is my first time really sitting with this book. I look forward to reading not only lessons learned. But also having a time of introspection during this time. I plan to dive deep. Seek Him and Live!
Just started this today! I’m excited to read Gods word and be challenged. Thank you for these devotionals.
Playing catch up on this week! My husband and I just finished a Sunday School study on Amos as well with our church so we are excited to keep diving into Amos and deepen our understanding through this study as well!
Love this series. Just began it. I sit here contemplating motherhood. Particularly with my first born son who is now 16. Currently, God is in business of restoring my relationship with him. For too long, I led with fear, not heeding the Bible’s call to lead with love. I am thankful for God’s mercy and am so looking forward to continuing the work of healing from my own trauma and mending my relationship w my son and family. Of all the things I’ve done, being in God’s word and therapy have been the most helpful. God is just, there have been consequences. But He has always led with love and hope. I just love Him so much!!! Be encouraged ladies!
I too love looking at the maps so I can pinpoint where the Bible is talking about. This is my first study with SRT and I’m looking forward to diving into the meat!
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Sweet friend, I feel you!!! Starting a book filled with calls to repent is scary, but you’ve done the work!! You’ve exposed yourself before God and asked for him to forgive you and your sin is no more!!!! Keep seeking Him, and He will give you peace!!! I’m right there with you, and I’ll be praying for you!!!
It strikes me that many of the things God is punishing the nations for are things that the US has perpetuated as well, even though we proclaim being “One Nation Under God.” Much like Gaza, we exiled a whole community, sending Native Americans away from their land, and now we study the Trail of Tears in history books. Even today, we and many other countries struggle with handing over exiles and breaking treaties of brotherhood (v. 9) by not helping refugees and by having inequitable laws and policies that disenfranchise or “otherize” various demographics. Although I am blessed to live in a nation where I am free and welcome to practice my faith, the convictions I hold should spur me and my “One Nation Under God” to pursue justice for all people, not just the ones who share the same beliefs or citizenship or lifestyle as me/us.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. – Romans 1:18
Sheridan, please don’t believe Satan’s lies. He wants you to feel like that.
The world wants to battle all of the things we know are true. Our identity, who we really are, and the One who made us are all a threat. Praying for you to find grace for yourself and move past past sin!
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I’m excited about what God has for all of us as we go through the book of Amos. I confess it’s not a book I have read before so it will be a fresh read. While reading the first chapter today I thought of the world today and how many of the injustices that Isreal’s neighbors were committing are same of the same things nations are doing against nations, still. God sees it all, still.
Lord- I pray that this new study of Amos with help me to lament my sins and lean into you more and more
♥️ So good to read together again!!!!
This is my first time reading SRT, I am so happy to be here. Thanks to everyone for your great comments. I am grateful for this community. I am awaiting my book and following the reading plan on the website today. The book of Amos is right on time in this season of my life as I am lamenting the ways that I have turned from God, I’m repenting and leaning into Him even more. Love and God’s Blessings to All.
This is my prayer too!!!
First study! God is so good, I can’t wait for more
This is my first set study, and I’m excited to see how it works.
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It’s my first time catching a live study. Excited to see what God does through it in my life!
I rarely comment, but have decided I need to join in more. Welcome to @ Kayla and @ Victoria. Praying you will be blessed! @ Dorothy, so good to hear your new job is going so well. Praying that your nephew’s heart will be softened to do what he needs to. @Cee Gee and @Ashley, thanks for the research. It’s good to be back together!
I’m so excited to have a study plan again. I have been slacking in these three grace weeks. My church is doing a study called “binge the Bible” and the book we studied yesterday was Amos! Prayers for all requests.
I am no saint and offer fall off the bandwagon. I love that is study is about God’s judgement on a people that have turned from Him and are living how they want to and how they feel. Much like today’s society.
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ME TOO! Thank you for sharing, it shows what a powerful tool SRT is.
Welcome @KAYLA DIETRICH! So glad you are here!
Excited to be back all together and excited to learn more about God through the book of Amos!
I pray that I would love the people around me as God loves them, no matter how different they may be from me❤️
This is my first study with SRT! I am super excited to learn about God’s thoughts on justice, especially since I am an attorney.
If I am honest I struggled the past weeks picking up my bible everyday. I was missing the structure of a reading plan. I am happy and excited to start this new plan with all of you, ready to dive in.
So good. Can’t wait to dive in and learn more about how Gos thinks about justice and learn more about Amos.
Happy Monday everyone. Amos is a short read (24 minutes) but packed with relevance for us today. Took the opportunity to read Amos in a very old (1937) commentary by a man named Oldaker. It was a great reminder that the word of God is the same yesterday and today. What I appreciated in the commentary version was some of the maps included. Pinpointing the cities listed helped orient me to the influence they may have had on Israel. They had grown prosperous and a bit complacent about being God’s chosen people. They expected that as long as they made the right sacrifices they could do whatever they pleased and God would rescue them from any threat. Amos’s words were a rude awakening for them!
So much of what I’ve read lately has the same message… that behind God’s judgment is His MERCY. He does all this to being us back to him. If we look at the Old Testament through that lens, it’s not harsh like so many think, it’s LOVE.
So grateful to be back with all y’all!
Lisa, I agreed with you about today’s culture being reflective of a people “that did not remember the covenant of brotherhood” & “his anger tore at him continually”…. I think that’s why it’s so important for us to remember we are temples of the Living God & our purpose is to introduce souls to Him. We can only do that by “depending on His faithful love” (Ps 33:18b).
Kathy, I loved your prayer and copied it into my study book so I could pray it. Thank you.
Have a blessed day.
Excited to dive into Amos! I ordered my physical Bible and some highlighters, ready to begin a habit of studying and learn from y’all!
I am away right now at a ladies retreat so so don’t have time to really comment but wanted to give a shout out to @katie L – another postpartum doula! I’m just starting out & still waiting to hear back about my certification. I would love to connect some time – maybe you can give me some good tips. Yes, I’m going through DONA.
Have a blessed day ladies – glad I found where the next study was!
I am reminded of how the other study I am doing in 1 Corinthians how the sacrifice of Christ on the cross radically transformed the definition of love. We can mode to the world His love through our actions by understanding each other and giving love.
Me too!!!
Me too!
Welcome Victoria Canull! I have been doing SRT for a long time and I love starting my day in the Word. I hope you find the same joy.
In Psalm 33:13-22 speaks to me. Vs 13 The Lord looks down from heaven; he observes everyone. (If we remember this, how much would our behavior change?)
“I pray that during your time in the book of Amos you’ll also be prompted to lament the ways that you have turned from God and lean into Him even more. And that you would ultimately experience the refreshing, freeing, joyful, and abundant life that only God can give.” It feels like the world has turned away from God. I pray that I can be a light for those that do not know God. That I can be a faithful servant. Please Lord I cannot do this without your help.
This is my first time with SRT and I’m so excited!
Thankful for God’s word and this SRT community full of wisdom! ❤️
Amos, a farmer — not a Levite or Holy person — was chosen by God to deliver these messages. It didn’t matter where he came from or what he did for a living. So should it matter to God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit what we do, as long as we worship the Lord and spread the GREAT NEWS OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION.
I don’t know if any of you that are on Facebook follow TobyMac but he posts some awesome things. I look for his posts all every time I get on my Facebook page.
I’ve finished my first full week of work at my new job and I mean full week. I worked every day but last Sunday. I’m enjoying it — it’s the job I’ve enjoyed the most in my over 40 years in the work force. I feel like I’m making a difference in peoples lives.
I look forward to this study. The Old Testament books tell us so much about the Messiah’s coming and His Second coming.
Father God, we rejoice in all that You have given us. Show us, like You showed Amos, how to spread YOUR WORD AND YOUR GREAT NEWS. Christ Jesus, THANK YOU for giving Your life for us, for our sins, so we could have eternal life. Holy Spirit, LEAD US IN THE WAYS OF GOD AND CHRIST, be by our side, help us to remain close to God and Christ. Amen.
Be blessed and DRAW CLOSE TO GOD, CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT today and this week.
Looking forward to what the Lord will teach me during this study.
I had to look up the meaning of the “3 sins, even 4” phrasing and learned that it is more of a common phrase than an exact number of sins. Essentially saying that each community has sinned to its fullness and then some. Their sun is overflowing and it’s time to place judgment.
I am not following along with the study book, so I’m not aware of what the reflection prompts are, but I’m letting my curiosity about the day’s readings guide me. As well as gleaning from you all and the devotions.
Here are a few interesting expansions I found using Enduring Word:
Chapter 1: b. Who was among the sheepbreeders of Tekoa: It seems that Amos had no formal theological or prophetic training, though there was a school of the prophets known as the sons of the prophets at that time (1 Kings 20:35, 2 Kings 2:3-15, 2 Kings 4:1, 2 Kings 4:38). Amos was a simple man, a farmer, who had been uniquely called to ministry.
b. And cast off all pity; his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever: Edom held on to anger and wrath when they should have long before put it away. For this, the judgment of God would come against them. We need to learn to give our anger and wrath to God and let Him be our avenger.
Chapter 2:
a. For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment: It is remarkable to see the same judgment formula applied against Judah – the people of God – as was applied against the previous six Gentile nations. It shows that Judah piled sin upon sin upon sin in the same manner as the other nations.
i. We find it easy – and comfortable – to expose and rebuke the sins of those who aren’t the followers of God. That is what Amos did with the first six pronouncements of judgment, but just as Amos went on to look at sin among God’s people, we should do the same.
b. Because they have despised the law of the LORD: Judah’s sin was that they despised and disobeyed the law of the LORD. This was a higher accountability than God required of any of the six Gentile nations previously mentioned in Amos. God blessed His people with His law and commandments, but He expected them to honor and obey His word.
c. Their lies lead them astray: Since the word of God brings us truth, when we despise and disobey God’s word we naturally embrace and follow lies. You can’t reject the truth without grabbing hold of a lie.
Can’t wait to see the rest of this story unfold and how Amos is used by God.
Happy Monday she’s! Glad to be back with you all. @Sarah Sullivan praying for you as you grieve the loss of your dad. As somebody who works with cancer patients everyday I know the pain you felt. @Dorothy praying for your family situation!
Good morning She’s old and new, it’s good to be back together! Like someone else commented I am sure I have read Amos in my Bible in a year study, but couldn’t recall much of it, so I am excited to dive back in! I really like the SRT studies of the actual books, and to crack open my “actual” bible and be able to see the overviews of each chapter, and how it applies to us today! You all left some insightful comments to ponder as well!
The Holy Spirit has really been opening my heart and desire to see the marginalized and show them Jesus. And not only those, BUT all those that live in the flesh and sinful nature! Oh how the Lord must look at America today…we are just like the Israelites and surrounding nations that constantly turn our back. God has been so good to us, but we are stiff-necked and want to live in the world. It is imperative that we be in the Bible today and everyday, gleaning from His spoken word. Making sense of the chaotic, obeying when it is hard, asking for the Spirit to make us afresh, give us His daily manna. Have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hands that move by the lamp at our feet! Jesus is calling, softly and tenderly, calling today- for you and for me! Be that light She’s, in a fallen world, that we will only overcome in the end, But God- He will have justice.
I think this study is very timely for all that is going on around us in society. I’m feeling very encouraged that God is still on the throne even when evil seems to be prevailing. Thank you God for your power and love.
GOOD morning and Happy Monday sweet SRT She’s. Missed you all and looking forward to the study. Mondays are always hard for me. I’m taking a deep breath. I can do this. God is so good.
Kinda reminds me of the song “No body, No crime” by Taylor Swift.
I took have visited the African American History Museum in Washington D.C.having also experienced some of those dark days of America’s history.The reflecting pool could not wash away the awful history of racism.
Only the continuing love of God,His Faithfulness,truth and mercy sustains us.
Reading and studying Amos reminds me/us that God is not ignoring the current culture behaviors,of unrighteousness.
His will,will be done.
Amen. I love how part of the purpose of Amos is to show that all of Gods attributes are always there, even when we are reading about Justice…his mercy and love are all still there as well.
Two phrases stuck out to me in this reading “did not remember the covenant of brotherhood” and “kept his anger forever”. We live in an angry world, one that divides and disregards the brotherhood of all people through Christ. It is a reminder to me to check my own heart and mind and be ruthless with anger and unforgiveness before it deals treacherously with me. Praying for the Bride also to cleanse herself of the anger around her and respond to the Lords call to unity.
I am as guilty as Judah and Israel. I don’t practice justice or righteousness as I should. I ignore the poor and most vulnerable in my community. I have felt the Lord’s call to “do justice and love mercy”, but too many times I ignore it.
Father God, forgive me for my failure to be Your salt and light in this world. Open my eyes to all the opportunities you put before me. Give me the strength and courage to do the hard things you have called me to do.
Thank you for this study of Your word to us in Amos.
What I love the most is God sends Amos in a time of “prosperity for both nations, and great military success”. Fast forward to my life…the Holy Spirit is always there reminding me but how often do I listen AND obey? Lord help me to allow You to form my heart with Your truth so that I can obey Your commands!
Glad to be back in community with all of you. A lot to ponder in Amos and it is only the beginning. Have a wonderful day!
Amos is new to me. For years I heard my dad talk about how in the Old Testament (he referred to it as the first testament) the God was an angry, spiteful and mean God. How all that changed in the NT. But with my studies, I feel like so much was misunderstood by my fathers generation and the generation before his. I’m learning so much from these studies that helps to understand the reason God did what He did. He’s not vengeful. He’s not mean. He’s tired. He’s over everyone acting spoiled children not getting their way. He’s done with disobedience.
Great thought! What a powerful image.
Ooooh, it felt good to crack open an actual study book! I missed it these past weeks and am excited to be back studying a book with all of you!
Anytime I start a study on an actual book I like to watch the Bible Project’s overview for it – always a great, succinct overview!
LORD, your Word is always alive and revealing – I pray for new eyes to see the richness you have for me while studying the book of Amos.
Good to “see” you all this morning!!!
Dang, Romans 1:18-22 is legit a testimony of witness against the unbelieving. The words “God has shown it to them” in verse 19 say it all. God has made His ways known, it is our hearts that turn away and are “given up” to our selfish desires (continues in verse 24). I think of these Scriptures on the topic of sexual immorality and homosexuality. God is merciful to even explain the process of sin and disobedience in such a clear way. I remember God’s mercy in reading His just judgements.
Good to be back to the fuller body of Shes! :)
I’m excited to read Amos, I have never read it before. Looking forward to what God has for me in this study.
So good to have SRT back ‘live’! I was curious about sycamore fig: From Smith Bible Dictionary: Sycamore
(Heb. shikmah ). …. Septuagint sycamine, as ( 1 Kings 10:27 ; 1 Chronicles 27:28 ; Psalms 78:47 ; Amos 7:14 ) The Sycamore or fig-mulberry, is in Egypt and Palestine a tree of great importance and very extensive use. It attains the size of a walnut tree has wide-spreading branches and affords a delightful shade. On this account it is frequently planted by the waysides. Its leaves are heart-shaped, downy on the under side, and fragrant. The Fruit grows directly from the trunk itself on little sprigs, and in clusters like the grape. To make It eatable, each fruit, three or four days before gathering, must, it is said, be punctured with a sharp instrument or the finger-nail. This was the original employment of the prophet Amos, as he says. ( Amos 7:14 ) So great was the value of these trees that David appointed for them in his kingdom a special overseer, as he did for the olives ( 1 Chronicles 27:28 ) and it is mentioned as one of the heaviest of Egypts calamities that her sycamore were destroyed by hailstones.
Psalm
20 We wait for the Lord;
he is our help and shield.n
21 For our hearts rejoice in him
because we trust in his holy name.
22 May your faithful love rest on us, Lord,
for we put our hope in you.
Yes, our hope is in You, Lord; the light of the world!
Romans 1 :21
21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. This verse reminded me of “Be still and KNOW (admit, acknowledge, recognize) that I AM God. (caps mine)
So glad to be all back together! Take a minute and google search the contemplative court in the museum. Really helped me get a visual for todays reading.
Let me not forget that with justice must come mercy, Father. Burn out any impurities in me.
My maiden name is Amos. I’m anxious to understand this book better, not just breezing through as in reading through the Bible in a year.
Excited
I put my hope in you oh Lord. You are my help and shield. In you my heart truly rejoices when I trust in your holy name. Let your unfailing love surround me, for I put my hope in you alone.
So looking forward to this study! I’ve never read Amos before
So excited to start this study. I love the visual of justice flowing like water. Water fills in cracks and every surface it touches. When there is enough of it, it shapes rocks and moves buildings.
Lord help me to see what I am leaning into that is taking me away from you and give me the strength to let go. In Jesus name, Amen
Amen ❤️
Amen!
Love the hope we have – we can live in freedom!
“Mercy triumphs over judgement”… I pray we all may be formed and filled with this truth. The song “form us” won’t let go of me ♥️
I’ve read through the Bible at least twice so although I know I’ve read through Amos before, it did not stick with me (my fault!). Looking forward to this study to gain a better understanding.
Things that drew my attention today –
Amos was a sheepbreeder so he clearly understood sheep and their ongoing need for a shepherd.
The transgressions of nations will be punished. With all that we see in the world, Lord may they turn to You.
And, from Romans 1
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. NKJV
In John Piper’s answer to “Chris” that relates to this (desiringgod dot org, Ask Pastor John, episode 797), he ends with this charge to doubters and atheists- “Deep down, under the suppressing work of your dark heart, you know God. Ask God for the miracle of this illumination, so that you can see what you are suppressing and look to Christ.”
Praying for those that are in the dark – many friends and relatives are in this category and my heart breaks for and prays for them – that they would realize they are in the dark and ask for the miracle. My mind goes back to what one dear friend said to me about God & Jesus – that he had looked at “all that” and decided he didn’t need any of it.
DOROTHY – praying for your nephew, and for you in all that you are handling. Excited for you that your new job is going well.
AIMEE ROGERS – continuing to pray for you and your husband
Amen ❤️
Amen!
Looking forward to reading this book. ❤️
The nations who are not in covenant with God do not get a pass for their wickness. Just as God judged the nations in the Promised Land, He won’t let evil go unpunished.
DOROTHY – praying your nephew will cooperate so that you can take care of Carol’s things. Glad to hear your new job is going well.
Amen ❤️