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Tuesday, July 01, 2008 Meditation Amos 3:1-8; 4:11-12 Amos had some hard things to say to the Israelites. "If evil befalls a city, has not the Lord caused it? . . .The lion roars—who will not be afraid. . . Prepare to meet your God!" (Amos 3:6,8; 4:12). Yet these hard things are set within the context of God's close relationship with his people: "You alone have I favored, more than all the families of the earth" (3:2). As chilling as this passage may sound at first, we need to be clear that God is not the direct cause of the evils we experience. Although he set the laws of nature in place, he doesn't directly intervene in their workings—and especially not for our harm! Rather, much of the evil we experience is the result of human sinfulness and poor choices, our own and those of others. But that doesn't mean that God is powerless. No, he is very much involved in this world and in our lives. Rather than as a puppet master yanking strings, however, he comes to us as companion, guide, and friend, walking alongside of us. He offers us his grace and power to help us face our days with courage, hope, and trust. When bad things happen, it is natural to be fearful and angry. It is also fine to express these feelings to the God who loves you. However, we often ask the wrong question: God doesn't always tell us why something is happening to us. Rather, the question he loves to answer is, "What would you have me do here and now?" What is the loving attitude available to me through the Spirit? What area of your life is most murky right now? You don't have to face it alone! Instead, prepare to meet your God and to walk in harmony with him. "Father, I know that you love me. I bring you the puzzling things that are happening in my life right now. Please show me how to move forward united with you and your people." Psalm 5:4-8; Matthew 8:23-27 |
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