Today's Verse: Amos 5:14

Tuesday, February 6, 2007

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.
— Amos 5:14

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isn't it amazing how many people claim God is on their side? God has been "claimed" by those seeking to enforce slavery, practice prejudice, lie, bribe officials, practice hypocrisy, force injustice on the powerless, and practice "ethnic cleansing." But God makes the test of his presence in a person's life pretty simple: do what is good and seek after the good, or you're not related to me! In the words of the prophet Amos, that meant equity for all peoples in the courts, marketplaces, and houses of worship. If we're claiming God is on our side, then we'd better draw close to the side of God, the side of good, justice, and mercy as God defines them!

My Prayer...

Precious and Almighty God, full of mercy and lover of justice and fairness, I praise you for your concern for those who are often forgotten. By the presence of your Holy Spirit within me, convict me when I side with evil and oppression and stir me to work for the salvation of others, my culture, and my world — not just eternal salvation, but salvation from evil and hatred that are so prevalent. May your Kingdom dawn more brightly in our world as it does in your heart and will for us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Amos 5:14 — Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is.

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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