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January 27, 2021 7:00 pm
Among the many exhibits and artifacts exploring the harsh reality of slavery and its aftermath in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC, I was grateful to discover the Contemplative Court. This tranquil room features translucent walls of bronze glass, and water appears to rain down from the ceiling into a pool.
As I sat in that peaceful space, a quote on the wall from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. caught my eye: “We are determined . . . to work and fight until justice rains down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” These powerful words are drawn from the Old Testament book of Amos.
Amos was a prophet living among a people who were involved in religious activities, such as celebrating festivals and offering sacrifices, but whose hearts were far from God (Amos 5:21–23). God rejected their activities because they’d turned away from His commands, including those regarding justice toward the needy and oppressed.
Instead of religious ceremonies devoid of love for God and others, Amos wrote that God longed for His people to demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of all people, a generous way of living that would be a mighty river bringing life wherever it flowed.
Jesus taught the same truth that loving God is connected with loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:37–39). As we seek to love God, may it come from hearts that also treasure justice.
Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading titled a mighty stream was written by Lisa samara among the many exhibits and artifacts exploring the harsh reality of slavery and its aftermath and the national Museum of African-American history and culture in Washington DC. I was grateful to discover the contemplative court. This tranquil room features translucent walls of bronze glass and water appears to rain down from the ceiling into a pool. As I sat in that peaceful space a quote on the wall from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. caught my eye. We are determined to work and fight until justice rains down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream. These powerful words are drawn from the Old Testament book of Amos Amos was a prophet living among the people who were involved in religious activities such as celebrating festivals and offering sacrifices, but whose hearts were far from God. God rejected their activities because they turned away from his commands, including those regarding justice toward the needy and oppressed instead of religious ceremonies, devoid of love for God and others. Amos wrote that God long fresh his people to demonstrate genuine concern for the welfare of all people, and generous way of living that would be a mighty river bringing life wherever it flowed in Matthew 22 Jesus taught the same truth that loving God is connected with loving our neighbors as we seek to love God may have come from hearts that also treasure justice today Our Daily Bread devotional Scripture reading is from Amos chapter 5 verses 21 through 24 I hate.
I despised your religious festivals your assemblies are stanched to me even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings. I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings. I will have no regard for them 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. Let's pray father in heaven. Thank you for the reminder that you are a loving God, whose love is like a mighty river that brings life wherever it flows Lord, we pray that your love would flow through us today and bring new life to others wherever we may go. Thank you, Lord.
It's in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries
