On 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; in order that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations who are called by my name, says the Lord who does this.
The time is surely coming, says the Lord, when the one who plows shall overtake the one who reaps, and the treader of grapes the one 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 upon their land, and they shall never again be plucked up out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God. Amos 9:11-15
It will get better.
How many times in our lives have we assured other people, or have other people assured us, that things will get better? Usually, eventually, they do. Maybe not better in the ways that we want or expect, but better nonetheless.
Never does anything get better by magic. Magic is not real. Magic is just wishful thinking. Magic is an illusion.
The key here is to see who is going to take the initial responsibility for things improving. “The time is surely coming, says the Lord…” The promise here is that God is the one promising better times ahead. But notice also that God always works through people.
“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.”
God provides the vision of a better future. God provides the spiritual encouragement and power to take up our mats and walk. It is up to people to grasp that vision, to believe it before they see it, and then get about the daily work it takes to get there.
As our congregation kicked off a six-week emphasis on seeking a healthier lifestyle, we had a motivational speaker/personal trainer come and talk to us. He was exceptional. He painted a compelling picture of a healthier lifestyle and encouraged us in taking the small daily steps that would get us there. He channeled God’s vision of holistic health but he couldn’t do it for us.
It will get better. God will provide the power to help us do what needs to be done to see that vision take on flesh and blood reality.
Let us pray: Gracious Lord, in every age we live in the tension of current painful realities and the vision of a brighter future. Today we worry about war in the Middle East and disease spreading unchecked. We worry about unemployment and underemployment, about paying the bills and saving for the future. We struggle with and against all of the “ism’s” that divide people from one another. Help us take steps, even halting baby steps, empowered by your Spirit, to go beyond wishing things would get better to actually doing what we can to make things better, in our lives and in the wider world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
October 7, 2014 at 5:41 pm |
A Men
October 7, 2014 at 9:56 pm |
Reminds me of the story of the woman on the roof of her house during a flood. A boat came for her, and then a helicopter. She turned them both away, saying God would save her. She drowned and went to heaven, where she asked God why he didn’t save her. He told her, “I sent you a boat and a helicopter!” Sometimes we have to use our own hands to do God’s work. Hey, that would make a good slogan: God’s work, our hands! 😉 LOL!
October 8, 2014 at 6:52 am |
That is a good metaphor, Dawne. Actions do speak louder than words. If we are really placing our trust in God to lead us, we must take that first step as soon as it is offered. If we hesitate, or falter, we may miss our opportunity to act, and to make things better in our lives, and in the lives of others.