What must we understand about America's current crisis

(PART 3)

God indicts the political leaders then, and God does today, for not ruling justly and righteously.

Let’s continue on in Amos 3:14:

"On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground."

Bethel was one of the sanctuaries. One of the religious centers. "And the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground." This is an indictment against religion, false religion is at the heart of the moral and spiritual decay of the land.

God's judgment against Israel's altars shows that He was rejecting Israel's entire religious system because it was so polluted. The horns of the altar stood for protection, and the false altars soon would be gone. Then the people would have no sanctuary, protection or refuge when judgment came.

That’s exactly what Amos was saying. And again, God was laying heavy blame on the religious leaders of that day.

Fast forward to today, 2020, America and many other nations, false religious teaching is a part of these nation's problem today. Now, no one wants to acknowledge this fact, and you’re not going to hear too much of that said. But watered-down Christianity and outright false teaching and practice has blinded America and the world to the face of the true God and what He commands us.

We don’t want to hear about the 10 Commandments. We do not want to admit religion, prayer, and godly morality into our culture. In fact, it’s been driven out in so many circles in so many places in today’s culture. In America, America is reaping the whirlwind of ignorance and defiance of Almighty God.

The Prophet Amos goes on. Let’s look in Chapter 5 of Amos, beginning in verse 21. It says,

"I hate, I despise your religious feasts." And this is God talking. "I cannot stand your assemblies."

He’s talking to the religion of the day. And frankly, God’s talking to the religion of America and the world today in 2020. He goes on.

"Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings. I will not accept them. I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise from 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!" (verses 22-24)

God hates false worship by those who go through the motions out of pretense or for show. If we are living sinful lives and using religious ritual and traditions to make ourselves look good, God will despise our worship and will not accept what we offer. He wants sincere hearts, not the songs of hypocrites.

God sent Amos with a strong message, condemning social injustice for the poor, the disenfranchised, and the minority who were not treated with dignity and respect. The rich of that day in Ancient Israel, they were shielded by their wealth and privilege from the harsh impact of economic recession or shutdown. Their pay continued while others stood in line for food handouts. The rich and powerful, and the elite of that ancient nation called Israel made the laws and created policy that perpetuated their status and privilege while making it difficult for the poor to share a greater measure of security and prosperity. This picture of Ancient Israel we see in the book of Amos, it mirrors America and other nations in the year 2020. But God’s words through the Prophet Amos show that social justice cannot thrive in a society dominated by civil disorder.

Reforms today will hopefully be made in the wake of these violent and disturbing events, but human nature will stay the same. And a system led by human nature will always be a broken system. True justice and order can only thrive in a society built on the law of God, the 10 Commandments. This is the missing element of the discussion in America and the rest of the world right now. This is what all of us must take a step back and to consider as we grapple with this tragedy of this moment.

Let us all humbly pray and seek God in this moment of crisis. So, pray for the healing of the nation and pray for the communities to come together and pray while there is time for us all to make a change that matters in our sphere of influence. Let us in a humble manner seek to understand each person we come in contact with and view the events around you with even-keeled discernment. Be fair and be just in your world. Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

In September last year, the fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer in Charlotte, North Carolina, was followed by claims the man was unarmed and that the shooting was racially motivated - that the man was killed because he was black. Protests began almost immediately, with the "Black Lives Matter" movement in the forefront. (TO BE CONTINUED)