Seek Good ...

Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014. Life does not remain boring if you come to the Lord. On the contrary: it will be exciting. It is about hard facts - as it is about the softer parts of our existence.

Repent …

Reading the book of Amos, the prophet, writing about 750 years before Christ, we hear clear words calling to repentance. If you take only 10% of this serious, it will change your day today! Listen to the clear words where God tells the people of Israel about his reaction to injustice, suppression and crime.

But the book also calls to faith. It shows a path to a good and sustainable future. The good path is not robbery and oppression. It can only be grace, justice, truth and a helping hand.

12 For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. 13 Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. 15 Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5, 12-15)

Restoration …

In all difficult words of the prophet, we also hear words of restoration. He makes it clear what God really wants: he wants Israel to prosper. As he wants us to prosper. He wants us to live. He wants us to be healthy and well. He wants joy and peace!

It is highly useful to read these Old Testament books, all the 12 smaller prophets, and the big three prophets (Isaiah, Jeremia and Ezechiel). It is good, since they all tell us something about God.

But then, we also need to see the books in the light of the New Testament. With Jesus, the source of forgiveness and justice is fully open. With him, we have God's grace, his truth, his love, his peace, his future … and all this is with and in and among us right here. The heavens are open - in Jesus!

The Old Testament books prevent us from misjudgement. God still is the God of justice. He does not want us to follow evil ways, when we come to Jesus. The door is open for us, free forgiveness, he holds out his hand to us. But this also means change. It means transformation of our heart and our mind. We cannot continue evil ways when we live with him. And then it becomes exciting … and breathtaking … and challenging … and fantastic! Since he is there to help and to guide us, in all parts of our life. (Roland Potthast) ... more texts