🔑 Scripture Focus: Amos 4:6–11; Amos 5:4,6,14; Psalm 86:5,11; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30


💬 Devotion:
From the moment God brought His people out of Egypt, He’s been calling them to walk with Him in righteousness and love. Yet in Amos 4–5, we see a painful pattern: God repeatedly steps in with correction, saying, “I did this… yet you still would not return to Me.”
And then, with a broken heart and righteous fire, He pleads:

“Come back to Me and live!” (Amos 5:4)

God doesn’t discipline out of cruelty — He does it to wake us up and draw us back. In love, He even lists their specific sins so they won’t be left guessing what went wrong. Oppression, greed, pride, empty worship, injustice — all laid bare. He sees it all. Nothing escapes His gaze. And He makes it clear, because He doesn’t want us wandering in confusion about what sin is or how to come home.

What God desires is this:

✝️ That we deny the flesh, live by His Spirit, love one another, and walk in the goodness, peace, and purity of His presence.

But when we ignore the Spirit, we begin to grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30) or even quench Him (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We silence His voice. We resist His pull. And we miss out on the life we were made for.
That’s why God cries out:

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed.” (Amos 5:14)

🙏 And then comes Psalm 86…
Amid warnings and judgment in Amos, Psalm 86 rises like a song of humble surrender.

“O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” (Psalm 86:5)
“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.” (v. 11)

This is the kind of heart God is looking for — not performance, but surrender. Not perfection, but repentance. A heart that says:

“I’ve gone off course, but I want You more than anything else. Lead me back.”

🪞 Lesson for Me:

• God doesn’t want me guessing what’s wrong — He shows me clearly, so I can turn and live.
• His goal in correcting me is always restoration, not shame.
• He wants my heart, not just my habits.
• When I live by the Spirit, I walk in love, purity, and power.

✍️ Application Questions for Journaling:

1. Has God been revealing any specific sin patterns or attitudes in my life lately?
2. Am I resisting the Spirit or grieving Him in any way (Ephesians 4:30)?
3. What does “coming back to God” look like in my heart today?
4. In what areas do I need to ask God to teach me His ways and purify my heart (Psalm 86:11)?
5. Have I made my worship a performance — or is it rooted in love and awe for who He is?

🙏 Prayer:
Lord, You are good and full of mercy. Thank You for showing me the truth — even when it’s hard to hear. You correct me because You love me, and You long to see me walk in life, not destruction. Forgive me for the ways I’ve resisted Your Spirit or ignored Your leading. Teach me Your ways, purify my heart, and lead me back to a place of humble, joyful surrender. I want to truly live — not just exist. Help me to return to You with all my heart.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.