Hate evil and love good,
and establish justice in the gate;
it may be that the Lord,
the God of hosts, will be gracious.
"May be."
It's not the word we were looking for, is it?
We want guarantees of the Lord's provision, don't we? Amos reminds us that on earth we don't always get what we want - when and how and where you and I want it.
Why? Read the first lines of today's verse. Because there's "evil" that we don't always "hate" or forsake. There's "justice" that still needs to be established -- means that "injustice" keeps reigning. Furthermore, we as a people don't always "love" the "good" -- which is the only place where God can dwell on earth.
Now you as an individual may love justice and hate evil (probably not perfectly, but as a general rule), but Amos was addressing a nation. And you and I live in a web of worldwide sin. Our culture isn't godly. And this week our nation is grieving over more and more terror.
Like hundreds of thousands of pretty good Jews, we may just get caught up in Tiglath-Pilesar or Nebuchadnezzar's attacks. (And like hundreds of pretty nice concert goers, we may just get caught up in a madman's Las Vegas sniper attacks.) Horror! That's life in a sinful world. Therefore, if you are looking for guarantees on earth, "may be" - "may be ... the Lord ... will be gracious" - is not good news.
And here's the problem: are you looking for guarantees on earth?
You and I are pawns on a huge worldwide chessboard. The Lord cares desperately about your life. He knit you uniquely in your mother's womb. He knows the number hairs on your head. You are his precious child. But don't forget that this world -- for the believer -- is as close as we'll ever get to hell. (Whereas, it is as close as an unbeliever will ever get to heaven.)
It's interesting. I was choosing between two verses "assigned" for these weekend days. One was a depressing "may be" ... on earth. The other was a triumphant guarantee ... in heaven. Heaven's final guarantee is this: "God will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away," Revelation 21:3.
It is as C. S. Lewis said, "If you aim for heaven, you will get earth thrown in. But if you aim for earth, you will get neither."
Too many people are looking for guarantees in the midst of this hopelessly sinful web of a world. Instead, we need to look forward. And upward. Then, the guarantees are glorious.
In Christ's Love,
a guy who needs
better aim
Sent from my iPhone
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