Scripture: Amos 5:24
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (NRSVUE)
Observation:
This well-known phrase comes at the end of God expressing His frustration with the Israelites. They have refused to turn to Him. They act as though they are giving Him attention and worship, but their lives tell a different story. God knows their hearts, and He sees the injustice among them.
What I find interesting is the contrast with the water in Ezekiel’s vision of the river. In Ezekiel’s vision, the water flows from the presence of God, and everywhere it goes, it brings healing. It is a beautiful image of the life-giving work of the Spirit of God. But in Amos, the waters are those of justice, with righteousness flowing like an everflowing stream.
Maybe the two are not so different. Maybe the Spirit who brings life and healing also brings justice and righteousness. God’s healing work cannot be separated from His holy character.
Application:
I think we often take this passage of Scripture and read it outside of its context. Yes, we want justice to roll! But wait a minute. God is speaking to His own people, who have been participating in injustice while continuing their religious activities.
Before we get to this verse, God tells us all the things He dislikes. He hates, literally despises, their festivals and solemn assemblies. If we gather together in conferences, meetings, and even worship without allowing God to shape our hearts and lives, we are missing the point. We can put on great programs in our churches, have fall festivals and Christmas programs, but if we are not walking in the ways of God, something is terribly wrong.
Evidently there were those who gave generous offerings, but God said He would not accept them. God cannot be bribed. You cannot purchase the justice of God. It doesn’t matter how faithfully you tithe or how much you give in special offerings if you are unwilling to live a life of righteousness. God wants us to be living in the stream of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to transform not only our hearts but also the way we treat others.
He says to take away the noise of the songs, and even the melody of the harps. Don’t just get up on Sundays and participate in the worship band, playing songs while refusing to allow the Spirit to work in your life. God knows the heart! Music becomes just noise when our worship is disconnected from lives of obedience, compassion, and justice.
And now, dear Christian, who volunteers at church, pays your tithe, and sings songs of worship, are you as excited about letting justice roll?
What if the Lord is talking about us? The ones trying to do everything right. What if we are so busy with our religious activities that we fail to see the people who are being hurt or treated unjustly? What if we have become comfortable with outward expressions of holiness while resisting the Spirit’s transforming work within us?
The stream of God’s justice and righteousness is not something we can control. We cannot direct it only toward those we believe need correction while assuming that we are safely standing on the shore. We, too, must be willing to enter the stream, allowing the Spirit to cleanse our hearts and shape our lives.
The waters that bring healing also call us to repentance. God’s righteousness exposes what is wrong so that His people may become what He has called them to be.
Justice must roll through our own lives before we demand that it roll through the lives of others.
Let justice roll!
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for this beautiful Sunday. May it be a day of genuine praise and worship of You. Search my heart, and let Your waters of justice, righteousness, cleansing, and wholeness flow. May my worship be reflected in a life of holy love toward others. Amen.
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