2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Tuesday, November 3
Amos 5:18-24
18 Woe to 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 water
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
“… 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. …”
This evening, after all the votes are tallied, there will be winners and losers. In the camps of the victors there will be cheers and celebrations. In the camps of the defeated, there will sadness and sorrow. Each group will have the opportunity to give meaning to their campaign by the way they respond to the election.
Yet, no matter how loud the victory or how mournful the defeat, God will not hear either unless the resulting actions show forth justice and righteousness. Anything less will be silent before the Lord.
That is the prophet’s point. Unless both camps are committed to working that justice rolls down like mighty waters, and righteousness flows like an ever-flowing stream, none of the noise raised in victory or defeat will matter. Only what serves the people, what brings relief to the poor, aid to the indigent, help to the helpless and hope to the hopeless really has any significance in the eyes of the Lord.
So tonight, whether you’re cheering or licking your wounds, remember the prophet’s words. In all that you say and do from this day forward, let justice roll down like water and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Prayer: Almighty God, you sent your prophets to remind us of what is truly important. Guide me this day and always that I may strive for justice and righteousness and encourage others to do so as well. Amen.