Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Monday, 3 November 2014 - Scripture: Amos 5:18-24

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Monday, 3 November 2014 - Scripture: Amos 5: Time to Face Hard Reality, Not Fantasy
18-20 Woe to all of you who want God’s Judgment Day!
    Why would you want to see God, want him to come?
When God comes, it will be bad news before it’s good news,
    the worst of times, not the best of times.
Here’s what it’s like: A man runs from a lion
    right into the jaws of a bear.
A woman goes home after a hard day’s work
    and is raped by a neighbor.
At God’s coming we face hard reality, not fantasy—
    a black cloud with no silver lining.
21-24 “I can’t stand your religious meetings.
    I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
    your pretentious slogans and goals.
I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes,
    your public relations and image making.
I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
    When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
    I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
    That’s what I want. That’s all I want.(The Message)
Thank God for mirrors! How many times have I been halfway out the door only to remember that I hadn't combed my hair? Unfortunately, mirrors can only help us see that which is visible; they don't show us what's in our hearts—our attitudes, motives and good intentions. When we are not honest, how easy it is to give voice to our understanding of a situation while soon realizing full well that this is not what's going to happen.
In the Old Testament times, the prophets functioned as spiritual mirrors. Amos helps the people see themselves as God sees them, as they truly are. They think they've got everything put together in good order—life is good, worship is fine and all is well. Rather than noisy songs that don't ring true, Amos reveals what God wants to see in the people: let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream (v24).
Gracious God, help me to see myself as you do. By the power of your Holy Spirit check the desires of my heart, my attitude of worship and guide my efforts to live upright and just. Amen.
Keith Anderson
Pastor, First Lutheran Church
Ketchikan, Ala. 
Master of Divinity , 1989
Amos 5:18 Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord! Why do you want the day of the Lord? It is darkness, not light;
19 as if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear; or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall, and was bitten by a snake.
20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?
21 I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon.
23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.(new Revised Standard Version)
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