The God Who Roars

Today Mason Munn (Stephanie and Nathan’s oldest) officially turned seven. It was a full day of activity and Mason said, it was his best birthday ever! It started with Krispy Creme donuts and opening presents, fishing, lunch at McDonalds, swimming with games at the pool, bike riding, tacos for dinner, birthday cake and ice cream and then a late night movie outside at poolside.

All in all a pretty good day for a seven year old and a tiring day for adults. I’m glad that I got in my morning nap after the fishing trip.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”  Amos 5:14,15

The Book of Amos is an interesting one. Amos was not the typical prophet. He was a farmer. God called him to go and prophesy to not just Judah and Israel but surrounding kingdoms as well. As the book opens we read,  “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem…” (Amos 1:2) This is not the meek and mild God that people often pictured, but his is the Lord who is ready to act.

As a result Amos pronounces judgment on Damascus, Gaza, Edom, Tyre, Ammonites, Moab; all Israel’s neighbors. Then we see the word of the prophet spoken against Judah and Israel. As the sins of these nations are listed the clock is ticking toward the day when the Lord will bring to pass the words spoken by Amos and other prophets. The generations may have made God’s people forget the Lord’s wonders and His laws, but God still held them accountable.

Even though the judgment from God is certain and coming, we see that God also promises a future time of restoration: “In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old…” (Amos 9:11)

This sequence is not to far removed from what we see in God’s ultimate plan for this world and His people. We see the Book of Revelation containing judgments on the nations of the world and a final restoration of a “new heaven and a new earth.” But this one is one that will never come to an end.

In the midst of the impending doom on the nations of Amos day is a call from the prophet to “seek good, not evil…hate evil, love good, establish justice…” This is a call to repentance. Change the way you think and act. Even if God’s promise is future restoration, now is the time to seek the Lord and live. Now is the time to find God’s favor in the time of judgment.

I am reminded of the words of the psalmist: “…Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not Yourself revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You? Show us Your lovingkindness, O LORD, And grant us Your salvation.…” (Psalm 85:5)

Mason Fishing Orlando

Mason 7

When God roars, it is time to respond. It is time to seek the Lord and change our ways. That call includes a nation. That call includes each individual. It is a call to stop, reflect, repent and renew.