Amos: Seek The Lord and Live預覽

Twice here we’re told that ‘the Lord relented’ (vv. 3, 6). It’s a Hebrew word that is also translated as ‘repented’ or ‘changed his mind’. How do we understand that when elsewhere we’re told, ‘He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind’ (1 Sam. 15:29)? There are three things to notice: 

1. Amos’ pleading is prompted by God. In both visions the Lord adopts the tactic of ‘leaking news’ to Amos to produce a response. The Lord ‘showed’ these events to Amos (vv. 1, 4). The Lord wants Amos to plead. 
2. There’s a desperate intensity to Amos’ appeal. He ‘cried out’ and begged the Lord to stop (vv. 2, 5). Biblical prayers always have such an intensity for the lost. When Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and its wretched future (Luke 19:41). When Paul considered the plight of his fellow Jews, he declared, ‘I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart … my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved (Rom. 9:2; 10:1). 
3. Amos’ plea is answered by our Personal God. The Lord relates to us in our time. He is not a distant, uncaring deity, such as the concept of Allah. In verses 3 and 5 the Lord relented as He had always intended to do. God prompted Amos to pray so that He could have mercy in response to those prayers. The Lord reveals Himself as personal and responsive to the prayers of His people. Martin Luther famously wrote to his barber, ‘Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of his willingness.’ 

Pleading for others releases God’s mercy. That’s what the Lord intends. So what stops us? Busyness? Fatalism: ‘It won’t make a difference’? Lack of compassion? God have mercy on us.

Reflection

What stops you from pleading for the Lord to have mercy on others? Ask Him for a heart like Amos, Paul or Jesus and plead!