But let justice run down like water,  And righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24) 

The message of Amos came from God during a time of luxury and great prosperity for Israel. However, because of her moral and religious corruption judgment from the Assyrian nation was on the horizon.  Amos’ call to repentance also includes a warning of impending doom, if they failed to listen to God. 

There seems to be a dispute regarding the meaning and application of the verse above. Some view the passage as a call for Israel to change her ways; for the nation to cease from her hypocritical festivals, meaningless sacrifices, and hollow songs. Others, view the passage as the certainty and the nature of God’s judgment on Israel. (See verse 18, 27)  I lean toward the latter view.

The sacrifices and ceremonial observances had not drawn Israel closer to God. Their worship was not backed by righteous lives. God desired more than “the noise of songs”.  True love for God will include acts of worship accompanied by expressions of genuine care for others and moral purity.  This was missing from Israel, and is also missing from the religious climate of our society and churches.   

The shallow services of Israel was deserving of God’s judgment. Whether a simple omission of God’s positive precepts or a willful mockery of the Law Giver, both required God’s just and right response. This was God’s promise for Israel.  

The figure of water and the mighty stream conjures the imagination, especially if one has ever experienced the effects of a flood. The swelling river sweeps away every person or thing in its path. It is relentless and impossible to stop. Such would be God‘s judgment upon Israel.

The effect of God’s justice is twofold. First, God will purge the people of all of their immorality. Their sham assemblies, hypocritical sacrifices, and idols will come to a halt. Meanwhile, water can also have a purifying effect, leaving a fertile soil for the work of a righteous remnant.

The Bible says: “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.” ( Proverbs 14:34) Nothing good can come from insincere religious observances, and an unprincipled, immoral people.  But, from God's justice right principles may be established, and good will result. I fear our nation is no better than Israel of old. How long will God put up with our nation? Only he knows. 

George Slover 

For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in the rain from his vapor, which the skies pour down upon man abundantly."  Job 36:27,28   Since my early days I have been intrigued by the weather.  A favorite boyhood hobby of mine was to make daily observations of temperature, wind direction, barometric pressure, and other weather readings, and then based upon my observations, I would offer George's forecast.  During our days in Lake Charles, Louisiana, thirty miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Nancy and I enjoyed tracing the movement of tropical disturbances in the Atlantic and the Gulf.   The history of Meteorology does not reflect man's understanding of the atmosphere, but painfully his ignorance.  Anaximander, a Greek philosopher, simply defined wind as "the flowing of air".  Since then man has become quite sophisticated in his measurement and description of atmospheric conditions.  For example, satellites images reveal the motion as well as temperature changes to a few thousandth's of a degree in a hurricane.  However, no matter how closely meteorologists analyze a hurricane, they still cannot determine the coding that causes one storm to die and another to develop into a killer storm.  The mystery of such storms remains solely in the mind of God.   Will man ever unlock the code of the storm?  Who knows?  But at least for now such mysteries reveal what Job knew long ago, that a being far superior to man designed and created this world.   How marvelous indeed to be able to tap into this mighty source of power and to lean upon Him for strength each day.   George Slover

For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in the rain from his vapor, which the skies pour down upon man abundantly."  Job 36:27,28   Since my early days I have been intrigued by the weather.  A favorite boyhood hobby of mine was to make daily observations of temperature, wind direction, barometric pressure, and other weather readings, and then based upon my observations, I would offer George's forecast.  During our days in Lake Charles, Louisiana, thirty miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Nancy and I enjoyed tracing the movement of tropical disturbances in the Atlantic and the Gulf.   The history of Meteorology does not reflect man's understanding of the atmosphere, but painfully his ignorance.  Anaximander, a Greek philosopher, simply defined wind as "the flowing of air".  Since then man has become quite sophisticated in his measurement and description of atmospheric conditions.  For example, satellites images reveal the motion as well as temperature changes to a few thousandth's of a degree in a hurricane.  However, no matter how closely meteorologists analyze a hurricane, they still cannot determine the coding that causes one storm to die and another to develop into a killer storm.  The mystery of such storms remains solely in the mind of God.   Will man ever unlock the code of the storm?  Who knows?  But at least for now such mysteries reveal what Job knew long ago, that a being far superior to man designed and created this world.   How marvelous indeed to be able to tap into this mighty source of power and to lean upon Him for strength each day.   George Slover

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
 
Joshua, this great leader, has a challenging task ahead of him.  He must hold together 1 million people, and successfully lead an invasion of a foreign land.  Just what do you think would be the secret of his success?  Some would suggest that this great General must have charisma, and be a great strategist to fulfill his mission!  However, Joshua was told that the real key to victory was to think deeply and continually on Gods word!
 
Do such promises seem strange to you?  Most folks will not believe that God is really going to help us prosper just because we believe God tells us in Scripture.  In fact, most folks do not have time to spend in Gods word!
 
When Joshua and Israel march into the land of Canaan, Jericho is the first city to conquer.  Asking your army to march around the walls of the city and blow trumpets is the kind of strategy to drive most generals crazy!  It was not because of the size of the army or the speed of the chariots that caused Israel to conquer Canaan.  It was because they obeyed God!
 
All of the great leaders of Israel spent time with God in his word.  Moses had his tent of meeting:  "This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you. "And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory.”(Exodus 29:42-43)  There was Ezras resolve:  For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10)  Finally, the blessed Psalmist:  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalms 1:1-3)
 
Now is the time to stop soaking up the world and start soaking up Gods word.  It will soften your heart and strengthen your soul.
 
By George Slover

Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.”  (Nehemiah 3:5)

The local church is made of volunteers for the Lord.  Its success depends upon a team of workers willing to sacrifice their time and resources for its cause.  It is true that the local church needs excellent leaders, but much of its success is determined by what happens at the grass root level.

During the days of Nehemiah the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem against incredible odds.  These walls had been burned and destroyed during the Babylonian captivity.  In the midst of their enemies, this wonderful group of volunteers had a mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6)  In 52 days they finished the project! (Nehemiah 6:15)

Nehemiah, being a great leader, delegated the work according to families, giving each family a section of the wall for them to repair.  Among the laborers were those who gladly accepted their assignment and those who were slackers.  The verse quoted above presents a discouraging picture.  There were some who considered themselves too good to do the work.

However, in vs. 30 we find a very encouraging example.  The scripture says:  After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling. (Nehemiah 3:30)  Meshullam is making repairs only in front of his dwelling.  It was all that was required of him.  Meshullam is doing the best that he can do!   Our best is all that God requires of us nothing more.

Right now local churches are in need of volunteers.  Gods people are in need of a support group of truth-loving people  a shoulder on which to lean, someone to help us stay focused on godliness.  The world is full of those who are like sheep without a shepherd.  The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few.  God calls for those who will use their talents to serve him and others.

So, where do you stand?  Are you among the ones too good to get involved?  Surely, you are among those who are willing to use your resources to the service of God.

By George Slover