03-29-2022
For this is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek Me and live! Seek the LORD and live…He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns darkness into dawn and darkens day into night, who summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth—the LORD is His name—He flashes destruction on the strong, so that fury comes upon the stronghold.
For I know that your transgressions are many and your sins are numerous. You oppress the righteous by taking bribes; you deprive the poor of justice in the gate. Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.
Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.” (Selected verses from Amos 5, BSB Edition)
Just this week we have seen more and more political ads through various media outlets; faces of people on signs in yards; and media commercials denigrating one person while uplifting another.
And not only is the world out to get your attention…your money and your vote…one might say it is also out to divide and conquer. Split the people. Divide families. Segregate communities. Isolate individuals. Destroy unity.
We believe this is why the Holy Spirit called Peter to write the following admonition and warning:
Perhaps the problem begins when we do not consider where our attention is placed…where our eyes are focused. It was the wise Solomon who urged his son: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take,” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT).
In our text from earlier, the LORD Yahweh, speaking through Amos, a herdsman from the village of Tekoa, and a dresser of sycamore trees, spoke to his children: “Seek good and not evil - so that you may live.”
Yet, what does it mean to “seek?” The Hebrew term is דָּרַשׁ, darash. It means to read repeatedly, search out carefully, investigate, and study. In other words, to seek out something/someone is to literally - pay attention.
Where is your attention right now? (Other than spending a couple of minutes perusing this week’s intrusion - newsletter - into your life?)
We dare say that most of us are struggling with the events occurring all around us. Severe weather, inflation, war, famine, genocide, pandemic, empty store shelves, sky-rocketing fuel costs, loss of loved ones…all of these - plus our daily problems - can often worm their way into our conscious and consume our thought life. It’s no wonder a great many are struggling emotionally and mentally - and spiritually.
Look, it’s one thing to pay attention to “what’s going on” (shout out to 4 Non-Blondes for those of you who know) and address what needs to be addressed. It is a whole other to pay attention while keeping your eyes focused on God. The former ends in hopelessness - the latter offers promise:
Bob Keeshan, better known to all of us as “Captain Kangaroo”, put it this way: “Attention is like a daily bouquet of love.” In other words, whatever you pay attention to is what will receive your love.
2,000 years ago, a wandering and homeless teacher of a bunch of miscreants and ne'er-do-wells put it simply as this: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
So, this week - well, every day actually - spend time focusing on the One who created you in his image; the One “from whom all blessings flow”; the One who understands; the One who “will never leave you or forsake you.” Pay attention (look and seek) to God: whose grace is sufficient; whose peace is impenetrable; whose love is unceasing.
What a beautiful bouquet you will present to the One who reigns on high…
Steve and Missy
And not only is the world out to get your attention…your money and your vote…one might say it is also out to divide and conquer. Split the people. Divide families. Segregate communities. Isolate individuals. Destroy unity.
We believe this is why the Holy Spirit called Peter to write the following admonition and warning:
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are,” I Peter 5:6-9 (NLT).
Perhaps the problem begins when we do not consider where our attention is placed…where our eyes are focused. It was the wise Solomon who urged his son: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take,” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT).
In our text from earlier, the LORD Yahweh, speaking through Amos, a herdsman from the village of Tekoa, and a dresser of sycamore trees, spoke to his children: “Seek good and not evil - so that you may live.”
Yet, what does it mean to “seek?” The Hebrew term is דָּרַשׁ, darash. It means to read repeatedly, search out carefully, investigate, and study. In other words, to seek out something/someone is to literally - pay attention.
Where is your attention right now? (Other than spending a couple of minutes perusing this week’s intrusion - newsletter - into your life?)
We dare say that most of us are struggling with the events occurring all around us. Severe weather, inflation, war, famine, genocide, pandemic, empty store shelves, sky-rocketing fuel costs, loss of loved ones…all of these - plus our daily problems - can often worm their way into our conscious and consume our thought life. It’s no wonder a great many are struggling emotionally and mentally - and spiritually.
Look, it’s one thing to pay attention to “what’s going on” (shout out to 4 Non-Blondes for those of you who know) and address what needs to be addressed. It is a whole other to pay attention while keeping your eyes focused on God. The former ends in hopelessness - the latter offers promise:
“...the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you…”
Bob Keeshan, better known to all of us as “Captain Kangaroo”, put it this way: “Attention is like a daily bouquet of love.” In other words, whatever you pay attention to is what will receive your love.
2,000 years ago, a wandering and homeless teacher of a bunch of miscreants and ne'er-do-wells put it simply as this: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
So, this week - well, every day actually - spend time focusing on the One who created you in his image; the One “from whom all blessings flow”; the One who understands; the One who “will never leave you or forsake you.” Pay attention (look and seek) to God: whose grace is sufficient; whose peace is impenetrable; whose love is unceasing.
What a beautiful bouquet you will present to the One who reigns on high…
Steve and Missy
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