God's Present and Future Kingdom

Scripture – Amos 5:11-13: ¹¹You trample on the poor and force him to give you grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. ¹²For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. ¹³Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) This passage reminds me of a story Jesus told in Luke 12 about a rich man. The man used his wealth to build bigger storehouses for his grain so he could become even wealthier. Than one night, he died. And God said, “The things you have prepared, whose will they be?” (Luke 12:20) These people in Israel have built their wealth by robbing the poor. They will not live much longer in their fine homes.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) How many people have housing they don’t use much of the time? (In this area of Michigan we usually refer to them as “a cottage up north.”) All the while we have people living without anyplace to call home. God will see that justice prevails. His kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. In this present day, we in the church are called to be a proleptic experience of that kingdom. I will live as a kingdom citizen today.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, that’s a bold promise. I cannot keep it without your power in me. Teach me and use me today. Thank you for the blessed assurance of your eternal reign.