Amos 5:24

New International Version (NIV)

But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!

For Meditation

1. When the judicial system of a nation breaks down and injustice prevails; who suffers? Is it not the poor and the weak (Amos 5:7)? Is the Spirit of God not grieved?
2. When the poor laborer is denied adequate compensation for their work and due process for redress is truncated; doesn’t the heart of God bleed (Malachi 3:5)? Is His anger not aroused?
3. When the children of God live anyhow, and integrity is sacrificed on the altar of “good living” or high-life; what use are their fat offerings, tithes, and worship to the Lord (Amos 5:21)? Are they not abomination and mere noise?
4. Like Judah under King Uzziah and Israel under King Jeroboam II (1:1), do we not have the same situation in our nations and churches today? Is God happy with the prevailing injustice at all levels of society and the deplorable state of the church? Is this what Christ sacrificed Himself on the cross for – affluence galore at the expense of righteousness and justice?
5. So why don’t we heed God’s call for Justice to “roll on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream” (24)? Why don’t we do ourselves a favor by honoring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with a strong determination to live righteously and ensure that justice prevails at every level of society in which we function – in our homes, communities, and work places? Is that not what God seeks in us?

I pray the Spirit of God will bring conviction to our hearts where we are failing or may be personally responsible, so that we may repent and change our ways. For, times of refreshing await those who love righteousness for the honor and respect for God’s holiness.

So: May the church lead in God’s call for justice and righteousness in our nations; and may we, children of God in Christ, be steadfast in our stand against every form of ungodliness.

The grace of God be upon you.

Shalom