A Verse
Amos 5:21-24
I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
A Comment
Today is Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. At some point today, you might hear a clip from his famous “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. In that speech, Dr. King employed biblical language and imagery from the Bible to address the racial injustices of his day. One of the most memorable moments of that speech comes when he quotes from Amos 5:24, saying, “No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
These words from Amos addressed the people of Israel, who, while engaging in religious activity, were not embodying the call to holiness and justice. The community maintained religious fervor in their ceremonies but refused the weightier matters of the law. The LORD rebuked them through Amos, noting that the professions that they were making in their ceremonies contradicted their actual treatment of their neighbors.
Just as this was true in Amos’ day and in Dr. King’s day, we have a responsibility as God’s people to examine our own lives and discern where our professions contradict our actions. It is one thing to say that we love God and our neighbors, but it is a whole other thing to actually demonstrate this love for God and our neighbors through our actions.
Today, as we reflect on God’s Word for us and are reminded of Dr. King’s legacy of fighting racial injustice, I would encourage each of us to examine our lives and ask, “Lord, search me and know me, see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the path of righteousness.”
May our professions of faith be complemented by lives of faith. Let us also long for the day when justice rolls down and righteousness like a mighty stream. May we hear Amos’ words anew this morning and respond, by God’s grace, with a concern for his name and renown in our lives.
A Prayer
Would you pray with me?
A Blessing
Now, go forth with a renewed commitment to glorify God.
Seek good, not evil, love goodness, and establish justice,
letting justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Go in peace, with love for God and our neighbors.
Let Justice Roll Down