It is the LORD who created the stars, the
Pleiades and Orion. He turns darkness into morning and day into night. He draws
up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The LORD is His
name! With blinding speed and power He destroys the strong, crushing all their
defenses. How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the
truth! You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair
rent. Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live
in them. Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.
For I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions. You
oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the
courts. So those who are smart keep their mouths shut, for it is an evil
time. Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the LORD God
of Heaven's Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. Amos
5:8-14
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| Blue Door in Jerusalem |
God was speaking to the Jewish people
through His prophet, Amos. The message is still good for God’s people today. We
need to acknowledge that it is the Lord who created the stars, the sun, the
oceans…and the rain. He still can destroy those who aren’t obedient to Him—the rebellious,
dishonest, liars, cheaters, and those who oppress others. I wouldn’t want to be
on the wrong side of God. There is no hope in destruction by the almighty God.
There is hope in turning to God—running to Him—and knowing that His heavenly
army will help you. We are in a spiritual battle…For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against
evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this
dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12. That was an evil time…this is an evil
time. We can’t escape evil without the help of our Lord God…and His angels. Even painting a door blue won't guarantee keeping away evil.
Be smart and keep your mouth shut. I know
that when I open my mouth and speak, I sometimes stick my foot in my mouth. Not
a very wise action—and not exactly tasty. I just speak out of turn—interrupting
others or say something uncouth. I need to think before I speak and ask myself
if what I’m going to say is TKN. True. Kind. Necessary. God wants us to “do what is good and run from evil so that we
may live.” TKN has its basis in one of my favorite verses. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one
final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and
pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and
worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8.
Think, speak and do the right thing. Honor God. That seems pretty smart to me—even
wise. How’s your day going? Wisely?
Prayer
~ Lord God, give us wisdom to see ourselves as You see us and help us to put on
our armor, to stand firm in our faith as your angels fight this battle of evil
around us.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
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