Restore Us, O Lord

Intro: God's words to Northern Israelites through Amos can be applied to today's America. Amos was a farmer prophet during the reign of Jeroboam II. At this time, things looked fine on the surface as they were a prosperous nation. This is much like America as we seem "fine" on the surface being the superpower, but there is so much going wrong in our culture and society. America's been so blessed with our riches, but we have become comfortable and intoxicated with our goodies. There are three specific areas of corruption addressed in the text that we would best pay heed to. Amos 8:1-10

1 This is what the LORD GOD showed me: behold, a basket of summer fruit. 2 And he said, "Amos, what do you see?" And I said, "A basket of summer fruit." Then the LORD said to me, "The end has come upon my people Israel; I will never again pass by them. 3 The songs of the temple shall become wailings in that day," declares the LORD GOD. "So many dead bodies!" "They are thrown everywhere!" "Silence!" 4 Here this, you who trample on the needy and bring the poor of the land to an end, 5 saying, "When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances, 6 that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of wheat?" 7 The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob: "Surely I will never forget any of their deeds. 8 Shall not the land tremble on this account, and everyone mourn who dwells in it, and all of it rise like the Nile, and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?" 9 "And on that day," declares the LORD GOD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. 10 I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist and baldness on every head; I will make it like the mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.

 Three areas of corruption specifically addressed in the text:

1. Corruption in WORSHIP v.5a

"When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain?"

Though in this day most of us do not wait for new moons nor sell grain, this type of dialogue happens often, either in our heads or as written notes passed between two people. During Sunday service, how many of us start thinking about what we wish to be doing? For example, going out to get lunch, the flavor of the bubble tea drink we plan to order... Even if not to that extent of detail, the question that often comes up during a time set aside for God is typically, "When is this going to be over so I can do something else?" We forget that worship of God must be a priority, for we were made to worship Him. If we were made to worship God, then that begs the conclusion that we function best as worshipers of God our Creator, not worshipers of money, power, fame, etc. And don't things work best when used according to its function or design? Therefore, worship GOD in everything that you do.

Additionally, do you prepare your worship throughout the week? Aside from worshiping Him with our bodies in our actions, words and thoughts, do we prepare ourselves to give up to Him in praise every Sunday? We must also be conscientious in giving Him our best every Sunday when we come to sing to Him. Get enough sleep, be awake and on time for Sunday service. He deserves your best (and only) worship.

2. Corruption in VISION v.5b

"And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances..."

As evidenced in the verses discussed in the previous point, the main goal of these Israelites is to draw profit and in the process take advantage of their customers. Even today it is the wide path to pursue money --take the American Dream, for example, which requires a lot of money to achieve. What narrow path do you take in the name of Jesus Christ? Similarly, what do you relinquish of the secular world in the name of Jesus Christ? Do not pursue things on this earth before serving the Lord your God. To truly serve God means to serve when you are needed, not when you make yourself available after having pursued the things of this earth (i.e. I'll tithe after I get a job; I'll do missions after I get my doctorates degree).
Why isn't our vision to be the pioneers for the kingdom? Yes, it may be difficult to envision the expanse of the kingdom, but who are we to deem the cause hopeless? Open the floodgates and be the father from The Parable of the Prodigal Son, go and seek for the lost sheep, the younger brothers who have squandered the wealth God has given us in wild living!


Are you a faithful citizen to your country? Do you pray for America? Are you going to take responsibility over your country, your little brother, or be one like him? Or do you just claim to be an American when the association benefits you? Though I do not want to refer to us as exact older brothers, we should model what the older brother should have done, which is to go seek out his own little brother.


[Refer to this post to gain context for the previous two paragraphs.]

3. Turning God's BLESSINGS into CURSES v.6

"...that we may buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and sell the chaff of wheat?"

Remember that this entire passage is referring to the privileged rich who had the ability to sell to and take advantage of the poor. Huge points to realize:

God gives us blessings so that we may in turn bless others.
The wealthy, clearly, were blessed with their riches. But they evidently were not using it to bless others -- they were using their blessings to curse themselves through abusing the poor! "...buy[ing] the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals..." This refers to temporary enslavement either due to debt, or just as a way for the poor to get some money. We are rich, we are wealthy... As Americans we have truly been blessed with not just wealth, but also freedom. Think of that combination and realize how much room we have to bless others... We must be transporters of His love. God gave us gifts to bless others with. There is not one person that doesn't have at least one gift, amen? When God made you and gave you gifts -- He did not have only you in mind, He had everyone you will touch in mind. Read that one more time. Where are we lacking in our love for others? Where are we lacking in our hearts for others, and therefore not using our gifts to bless them? And where are we lacking in our service to others? Are you a blessing to others? He's made us to be.

Additionally, what blessings have we in our lives that we've turned into curses? Remember that good things turned into ultimate things = sin, ultimately a curse. Consider our privileged access to the internet. How much time do we spend on the internet? And on what sites? How honoring to God are we in using this "blessing," or has it become a curse?

Conclusion: Our job includes 3 things only

1. Face one direction (to Jesus)
2. Never turn back
3. Don't have our own plans (v.5-6)

As we worship God with all our heart, mind and strength, also do not let comparisons of those around us keep us from worshiping God. He created each and every one of us, what an insult it would be for us to judge ourselves unworthy to give Him our best.

And when God calls, He'll call in a language that we understand v.1-2. Amos was a farmer, and God used analogies of summer fruit for Amos to understand! So when God calls, our job is to obey and trust He will provide the rest -- because He will. Remember that we are not marked by our qualifications, but rather obedience. He will anoint and provide, so just obey. Do not stop yourself by what you think you can or cannot do.

Reflection Questions:

1. In what areas in my life do I lack obedience?
2. Is worship a first and foremost priority in your life? If not, does that explain the spiritual confusion and inconsistencies in your life?
3. How can I be an instrument of worship in my work, church and family?
4. Meditate upon your current vision (future hope) for life and consider how Christ and/or others-centered it is.
5. Consider the blessings and gifts you have in Christ. Have any of them turned into a poison due to your self-centeredness? Consider what can be done practically to utilize them for God's glory and service unto others.