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.

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

10 Related Resources by Heartlight

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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, February 6, 2007

The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Be glad of heart, O believer, but take care that thy gladness has its spring in the Lord. Thou hast much cause for gladness in thy God, for thou canst..."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the Lord."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love,..."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the...."

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.