A Word of Hope
“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name,” declares the LORD who does this. “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman shall overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed; the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them,” says the LORD your God.
Amos 9:11–15
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A Word of Hope
“It’s always darkest before the dawn.” “When it rains, look for rainbows, when it’s dark, look for stars.” These platitudes are often given when we are at our lowest, by well-meaning friends, but don’t offer much really in the way of consolation. Because in this fallen and broken world, we need something more concrete to trust in. For the people of Amo’s day, even though they chose to ignore God, they knew He was real. Amos was called to warn them and to bring them to repentance. Not all would listen, but for those who were convicted by the Law and brought to repentance by the many oracles and visions threatening judgment, Amos’s prophecy unexpectedly ends with a word of hope, with the Gospel. A day of rich blessing would be coming. The Lord does not forget His promises and always fulfills His Word to His people. The covenant He cut with His people would be upheld by Him, even if they did not. God would bring about restoration and establish the eternal kingdom of His Messiah. As perilous as it is to despise God’s threats of judgment and punishment, as did the people of Amos’s day, it is even more foolish to reject such gracious promises from our God. All of His Holy Word was He caused to be written for our learning. Therefore, we take heed to hear it, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it that, by patience and comfort of His holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, given to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amos 9:11–15
+
A Word of Hope
“It’s always darkest before the dawn.” “When it rains, look for rainbows, when it’s dark, look for stars.” These platitudes are often given when we are at our lowest, by well-meaning friends, but don’t offer much really in the way of consolation. Because in this fallen and broken world, we need something more concrete to trust in. For the people of Amo’s day, even though they chose to ignore God, they knew He was real. Amos was called to warn them and to bring them to repentance. Not all would listen, but for those who were convicted by the Law and brought to repentance by the many oracles and visions threatening judgment, Amos’s prophecy unexpectedly ends with a word of hope, with the Gospel. A day of rich blessing would be coming. The Lord does not forget His promises and always fulfills His Word to His people. The covenant He cut with His people would be upheld by Him, even if they did not. God would bring about restoration and establish the eternal kingdom of His Messiah. As perilous as it is to despise God’s threats of judgment and punishment, as did the people of Amos’s day, it is even more foolish to reject such gracious promises from our God. All of His Holy Word was He caused to be written for our learning. Therefore, we take heed to hear it, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it that, by patience and comfort of His holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, given to us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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2023
January
Responding to GodLamentationSeek GodThe Day of the LordA Matter of FaithThe Secure and the ComplacentThe Pride of the PeopleFrom Depths of WoeVisions of FireA Plumb LineAmaziahSummer FruitA Final VisionA Word of HopeA VisionHumiliationDisplacedStanding AloofHouse of FireRestorationHeeding God’s CallOverboardInside the Great FishFor a Second TimeMessage ReceivedNot Fair
2022
January
In One SpiritHe is ComingA Light for the NationsDepart in PeaceThe BenedictionWise Men SeeTrusting in the EmptinessWilted BlossomsConceiving TroubleWhat Comfort?SolaceWorn OutTorn With WrathLike a WarriorA Pure PrayerHeavenly WitnessA Ready GraveA Pledge for YouA Byword of the PeoplesHold OnNight into DayWhere is My Hope?Into the DustHunting for WordsOur Own FlameCaught in a TrapDeath ConsumesTo Know GodMy ErrorsNo JusticeHe Has Taken the Crown
February
No AnswerForsakenRock BottomRedemption!The Root of the MatterDo You Not Know?Fly AwayBittersweetUpon the RiversConstant CravingsBurning AngerEnduring WitnessesGod’s PortionKeep ListeningThe Rod of GodIs Not Their Prosperity in Their Hand?The Lamp of the WickedEqualizationThe House of the PrinceEmpty NothingsProfitable to GodOutward AppearancesWater Covers YouWhat Does God Know?Foundations Washed AwayConsumed by the FireGold and SilverLife Up Your Face to God