Today's Verse: Amos 5:24

Saturday, April 19, 2003

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

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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
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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.
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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
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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!

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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.

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