Today's Verse: Amos 5:24

Sunday, April 19, 1959

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
— Amos 5:24
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

While many attribute this quote to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it was originally uttered by Amos, God's spokesman, over 2600 years earlier than Dr. King quoted it. God wanted his people to know that their religious pilgrimages, sacrificial offerings, and songs meant nothing to him if a life of compassion, character, and concern did not back them up. Northern Israel did not believe Amos and did not repent. Not too many years later, they were utterly destroyed because God found their hypocrisy, injustice, and abuse of the weak reprehensible. But we live now, and these words are as powerful and clear as they were then!
Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
What will our response be?

My Prayer...

Almighty God, many of your children are ashamed today of the unrighteousness in our world and our nations. Please use us to lead a rebirth of character. And Father, as we seek to live holy lives, please keep our eyes on your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love-based justice. Lord, help us demonstrate these same character qualities with those who need to know your love and receive your salvation. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Roll On...
Illustration of Amos 5:24
Amos 5:24 - But let Justice roll on like a river; righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Life as a Fourteen Year Old
Article by Rubel Shelly
Some things shouldn't have to be part of a fourteen year old's life experiences. Rubel Shelly talks about the shooting of Malala Yousafzai and Heartlight updates her current condition, calling for us to live as God has called us.
More than the Wrapping Paper for Christmas
Article by Jamie Shell & Brent Nidiffer
Can we move beyond the fluff to the focus of God's heart? We get so caught up in the fluff we forget the focus of God, like justice and mercy.
Seek Me and Live
Article by Straight from the Bible
What happens when a nation loses its way? God convicts Israel because of her sin. We must pray not to be this nation.

Illustration

Illustration of Amos 5:24 — But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 19, 1959

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's Instruction' (1 Th. 4:8)
"Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Including the Disciples of John the Baptizer in the Family of Jesus'
"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Revelation 1:3
"Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Sabbath Rest' (He. 3:7-4:11)
"Dear Father, I long to enter into your rest - into creative work that is effortless, into joyous activity in which there is no fatigue, into glorious..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse