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.
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.
❤️
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!