“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
Amos 5:23-24
The book of Amos records a prophecy given to Israel, condemning its utter corruption. Rather than being a covenantal light to the nations, Israel’s leaders abused the poor and took advantage of the orphan, the widow, and the oppressed. But at least they celebrated the prescribed holidays, offered the correct sacrifices, and sang on the Sabbath, right? In these verses which summarize the book of Amos, God was calling out their hollow works.
Maybe you celebrate Christmas and Easter. Perhaps you claim Jesus as your sacrifice and sing songs on Sunday. But if you have not love, you are a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (see 1 Corinthians 13:1).
Have you ever considered that true love for our Savior compels us towards justice and righteousness? Music actually plays a powerful role in this. It helps complete the expression of emotions already present and stirs our affections for justice and righteousness. If we have love, it makes our justice all the lovelier! Without love, our music is hollow in our hearts and in the ears of the Lord.
Maybe you celebrate Christmas and Easter. Perhaps you claim Jesus as your sacrifice and sing songs on Sunday. But if you have not love, you are a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (see 1 Corinthians 13:1).
Have you ever considered that true love for our Savior compels us towards justice and righteousness? Music actually plays a powerful role in this. It helps complete the expression of emotions already present and stirs our affections for justice and righteousness. If we have love, it makes our justice all the lovelier! Without love, our music is hollow in our hearts and in the ears of the Lord.
Scripture Focus
Amos 5:18-24
Insight
Let not your songs be hollow. Listen to, sing, and heed the call from the song “Let Us Be Known” by Liturgical Folk (2018).
Bible In A Year
- Jeremiah 47-48
- Psalm 125
- 2 Corinthians 4-5
