Key Verses: Amos 5:4, 6:14
For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel:
“Seek Me and live…”
“But, behold, I will raise up a nation against you,
O house of Israel,”
Says the Lord God of hosts;
“And they will afflict you from the entrance of Hamath
To the Valley of the Arabah.”

God, in His mercy, so often grants individuals and nations the opportunity to repent, yet again and again that offer of forgiveness and a new beginning is ignored or rejected. Here in chapter five, after God, through Amos, points out Israel’s continuing rejection, He still continues His appeal to His people to repent. Four words in our key verse say it all… “SEEK ME and LIVE!” The word “seek” is in our reading three times. The dictionary says that “SEEK” means, “An attempt to find someone or something…searching…hunting.” Jesus said, “But SEEK first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!” (Matthew 6:33a). He also urged seeking again in His powerful message on the hillside, “SEEK and you shall find!” (Matthew 7:7). Therefore, we are to SEEK for Him! The fact is…He is looking for us! Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to SEEK and to save that which was lost.” Let’s read the story that illustrates this (Luke 19:1-10).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I seek for You! It’s not that You are lost, it’s that I’m often distracted by the pressures, events, and everyday happenings in my life. I pray that the Holy Spirit will shine the light on You every day through my reading of Your Word. Thank You that I know where to find You. You’re right here in Your Word to me as I read! You’re there every time I kneel to pray in a manifestation of Your presence. I’ll find You also at church, because You said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am there in the midst of them!” (Matthew 18:20). I ask You to continue to provide me with daily light. In Your Name, Jesus, I pray…Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve just looked for “Orion” (5:8a) on Google. Click here for a look at this tiny part of the cosmos which God has created. I’m so glad that in order to find God, we don’t have to travel a billion miles into space looking for Him. I sought for Him this morning and there He was, so very close to me. He didn’t hide inside the mystery of a religious ceremony. God said that He is near to those who have a broken heart (Psalm 34:18a). I pray often that God will break my heart with those things that break His. He’s right here! The Apostle Paul quoted the prophets Moses, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah to make the point that God dwells in His temples, our bodies (2 Corinthians 6:16b). I don’t have to travel far. I simply begin to read His Word, meditate on His Word, worship Him with my love, and praise Him for Who He is…for Jesus and His suffering and death on the cross for my sins. I experience that sense of love, peace and security which is a manifestation of His presence.

Yours for having the knowledge of His presence, even if I don’t feel His presence. That’s because He promised to be with us!!! (Matthew 28:18-20),

David