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The Book of Tobit: Faithfulness, Family, and God’s Hidden Hand

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The Book of Tobit is one of the most tender and hopeful stories in the Bible. Nestled within the wisdom writings, it weaves together faith, family, prayer, and divine providence into a narrative that feels timeless. Though written more than two thousand years ago, its message still speaks directly to the longings and challenges of our modern world.

A Story of Righteousness in Exile

Tobit was a devout man living in exile in Nineveh, far from his homeland and temple. Despite the injustice of his circumstances, he remained steadfast in his devotion to God. He cared for the poor, buried the dead, and kept the commandments, even when doing so brought him trouble. In a cruel twist of fate, he became blind after an act of charity — a symbol of how good people sometimes suffer without understanding why.

At the same time, far away in Media, a young woman named Sarah faced her own despair. A demon tormented her, killing each of her seven husbands on their wedding night. Both Tobit and Sarah cried out to God in anguish, each feeling abandoned, yet their prayers rose together before the throne of heaven.

God answered by sending the archangel Raphael, disguised as a traveler, to guide Tobit’s son, Tobias, on a journey that would change all their lives. Through divine intervention, Tobias met and married Sarah, overcame evil through prayer, and returned home with the remedy to restore his father’s sight. The story ends with thanksgiving, praise, and renewed faith — a reminder that God’s plans are always working behind the scenes.

Lessons for Our Time

The Book of Tobit offers wisdom for a world that often feels fragmented, anxious, and divided.

1. Faithfulness in a Secular Age
Like Tobit, many people today live in a kind of exile — trying to remain faithful in a culture that often dismisses or distorts spiritual values. Tobit’s example encourages us to keep living with integrity, compassion, and reverence for God, even when the world around us doesn’t understand.

2. The Power of Prayer and Patience
Tobit and Sarah both prayed in moments of utter despair, yet those prayers became the turning point of their lives. We are reminded that God hears even our quietest cries and often answers in ways we cannot foresee. Prayer opens the door for divine timing to unfold.

3. Healing in Relationships and Marriage
The union of Tobias and Sarah reflects a relationship grounded not in passion alone but in shared faith. Before they touch one another, they pray. In a world hungry for authentic connection, this simple act shows us what it means to invite God into our most intimate spaces — transforming love into a source of healing and strength.

4. God’s Providence in the Ordinary
The angel Raphael’s journey alongside Tobias reminds us that divine help is often disguised as ordinary companionship. The people we meet, the turns we take, the timing of events — all can become instruments of God’s unseen guidance. We live under the care of a loving and attentive God who walks with us through every season.

5. Hope for the Disheartened
Both Tobit and Sarah reached the point of despair, yet God’s deliverance came when they least expected it. Their story reassures anyone who feels forgotten, weary, or unseen: God has not abandoned you. Hope is never lost.

Faith for a Modern Pilgrim

As someone who seeks authenticity in worship and a faith that engages both heart and mind, I find Tobit’s story especially comforting. It teaches that holiness is not confined to grand temples or rituals but found in daily acts of kindness, in prayer shared between loved ones, and in trusting God even in the dark.

In a world of noise and distraction, Tobit calls us back to quiet faithfulness — to living with gratitude, compassion, and steady hope. God’s providence, like Raphael’s guidance, still moves quietly through our lives, bringing healing and light where we least expect it.

A Closing Prayer

God of mercy and faithfulness,
You hear our prayers even in exile and despair.
Teach us, like Tobit, to remain steadfast in righteousness and compassion.
Open our eyes to Your hidden work in our lives,
And send us companions who carry Your healing light.
May our homes be places of prayer, love, and hope.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Finding Real Worship: My Journey Through Isaiah, Malachi, and the Episcopal Church”

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There are moments in Scripture when the voices of the prophets echo across centuries, harmonizing in truth so clear that it pierces our modern noise. Reading Isaiah 1 and Malachi side by side is one of those moments. Both prophets expose the danger of hollow religion — the kind that goes through the motions of worship while the heart stands distant from God.

For me, this message has become personal. My faith journey — even my decision to change denominations — has been driven by one burning desire: to serve God from the heart. I have searched for a place where worship is not performance, where prayers rise from sincerity, and where God’s presence feels real among His people. I never dreamed I would find that authenticity in the Episcopal Church, but here, among liturgy, silence, and sacrament, I have rediscovered what the prophets longed for — worship that is alive, honest, and transforming.

The Prophets’ Shared Message: God Wants Our Hearts, Not Our Rituals

Though separated by hundreds of years, Isaiah and Malachi confront the same spiritual sickness: outward religion without inner devotion.

In Isaiah 1, God rejects the people’s sacrifices and festivals, declaring:

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me…
Your hands are full of blood.” (Isaiah 1:13, 15)

In Malachi, the problem continues. The priests offer blemished animals, and the people treat sacred things lightly. God asks,

“When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not wrong?…
I am not pleased with you.” (Malachi 1:8, 10)

Both prophets reveal the same truth — God is not impressed by religious activity. He desires a living faith that flows from integrity, compassion, and love.

Justice, Integrity, and Renewal

Isaiah condemns leaders who “love bribes and chase after gifts,” while widows and orphans are neglected (Isaiah 1:23). Malachi calls out priests who dishonor their vows and people who defraud the poor (Malachi 3:5).

For both prophets, worship and justice are inseparable.
You cannot lift holy hands to God if those same hands are stained by indifference or oppression.
True worship overflows into righteousness, fairness, and mercy — qualities that mirror God’s own heart.

God’s Call to Return

Despite the sharpness of their words, both Isaiah and Malachi end with hope:

“Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)

“Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:7)

These are not words of condemnation but of invitation — a call to renewal. God does not want our perfection; He wants our honesty. When we return to Him with humility and faith, He restores, forgives, and breathes life into our worship once again.

Finding Authentic Worship Today

In our modern world, the same temptations remain — to treat faith as habit, to confuse emotion with devotion, or to seek comfort over truth. Yet the ancient call still stands: God wants our hearts.

As I have walked this path — seeking a faith that is both reverent and real — I have found unexpected grace in the Episcopal Church. Its rhythm of prayer, Scripture, Eucharist, and silence has not dulled my spirit but awakened it. It has taught me that authentic worship is not about style but about sincerity — a heart bowed before God, open to His transforming love.

A Closing Prayer

Gracious God,
You call us to worship You not with hollow words but with whole hearts.
Cleanse us from our complacency and renew our desire to serve You in truth.
Let justice and mercy flow from our worship,
and may our lives reflect Your light in all we do.
Lead us, O Lord, into the kind of faith that is both humble and holy,
that in serving You, we may truly love You —
in spirit, in truth, and from the depths of our hearts.
Amen.

Rebuilding Hope: The Message of Zechariah for Our World Today

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When I read the Book of Zechariah, I find myself standing among the weary builders of Jerusalem — people who had returned from exile with dreams of restoration but were met with rubble, resistance, and discouragement. Into that discouragement, the prophet Zechariah spoke words filled with vision, comfort, and promise.

His message was clear: God had not abandoned His people. Though they had suffered judgment, God’s covenant love endured. The rebuilding of Jerusalem and the temple was not just a physical task; it was a spiritual renewal — a call to live again as God’s holy people with hearts full of faith, integrity, and hope.

Visions of Renewal

Zechariah’s prophecies came through a series of mysterious and symbolic visions — horses patrolling the earth, a golden lampstand, a flying scroll, and a woman in a basket. Each vision carried a message: God is active, His Spirit is moving, and His purpose will not fail.

When the people doubted they could finish their work, God gave this timeless assurance:

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” — Zechariah 4:6

Zechariah also looked forward to a coming Messiah, both Priest and King, who would bring true peace — a Savior who would enter Jerusalem humbly, riding on a donkey (9:9). Centuries later, Jesus fulfilled that vision, showing that God’s promise was not just for a rebuilt temple, but for a redeemed humanity.

God’s Word for Today

The book of Zechariah speaks powerfully to our time. We live in a world that, like ancient Jerusalem, often feels broken and weary. We see divisions among nations, corruption in institutions, and loss of trust in one another. Yet Zechariah reminds us that God is still at work, rebuilding lives, restoring hope, and shaping a new future — not by human might or politics, but by His Spirit.

Zechariah’s call to repentance, justice, and compassion is just as urgent now as it was then. God’s people are to reflect His character in how we treat others, seek peace, and care for the vulnerable.
And just as the remnant once rebuilt the temple stone by stone, we too are called to rebuild community, restore faith, and renew love in our world — one act of kindness, one prayer, one faithful step at a time.

A Living Hope

Zechariah ends with a vision of a world where the Lord reigns over all the earth, and every heart and nation acknowledge His presence. That vision gives us courage to keep building — to live as people of hope, not fear; of Spirit, not force; of peace, not power.

A Prayer for Our Time

Lord, in a world of rubble and rebuilding, help us to see Your hand at work.
Renew our faith when we are weary, restore our hope when we despair,
and fill us with Your Spirit so that we may be builders of light, justice, and love.
Let Your kingdom come through our lives, “not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit.” Amen.

When God Seems Silent: The Message of Habakkuk for Our World Today

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There are moments in life when the world feels unbearably heavy—when violence fills the news, corruption goes unpunished, and the innocent suffer while the powerful prosper. In such moments, the ancient words of the prophet Habakkuk echo with haunting familiarity:

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2)

The Book of Habakkuk is one of the most honest conversations in Scripture. Unlike other prophets who deliver God’s words to the people, Habakkuk speaks to God on behalf of the people. He dares to question why God allows injustice and suffering to continue. His story is not one of easy answers—but of faith that grows stronger through wrestling with doubt.

Habakkuk’s Cry for Justice

Habakkuk looked out on a world of violence, oppression, and moral decay. His own nation, Judah, was corrupt, and foreign powers loomed on the horizon. When God revealed that He would use the ruthless Babylonians to punish Judah, Habakkuk was stunned. How could a just God use an even more violent nation to carry out His purposes?

This is the heart of the prophet’s struggle—and ours too. We look at war, greed, and cruelty in our world and wonder: Where is God in all of this?

God’s Answer: “The Righteous Shall Live by Faith”

God’s response to Habakkuk is not a detailed explanation but a call to trust.

“The vision awaits its appointed time… If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come.” (Habakkuk 2:3)
“The righteous shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)

In other words, justice may not come on our timetable, but it will come. God sees. God acts. And in the waiting, the faithful must live by trust—holding on to hope even when the evidence seems thin.

God goes on to pronounce “woes” upon those who build their empires on greed, bloodshed, and lies. No power built on injustice will endure forever. The message is clear: human arrogance may rise like a flood, but in the end, God’s justice will prevail.

From Fear to Faith

The book concludes with one of the most beautiful affirmations of trust in the entire Bible. Habakkuk prays:

“Though the fig tree does not blossom,
and there are no grapes on the vines…
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17–18)

This is faith purified by struggle. Habakkuk chooses to rejoice not in prosperity, but in the presence and goodness of God, even when the world is falling apart.

The Message for Today

Habakkuk speaks powerfully to our modern moment. We too live in a time of turmoil—wars rage, political divisions deepen, and injustice often seems to go unchecked. The prophet reminds us that faith is not blind optimism or denial of pain. Faith is choosing to trust God’s goodness when the answers aren’t clear.

It’s okay to cry out, to question, to lament. Habakkuk shows us that God welcomes our honest prayers. But in the end, faith calls us to remember that God is still sovereign, still just, still worthy of praise.

When everything else shakes, we can echo the prophet’s final declaration:

“The Lord God is my strength.” (Habakkuk 3:19)

A Prayer

Gracious God,
In a world filled with confusion and injustice, help me to live by faith.
When I cannot see Your hand, help me to trust Your heart.
Give me courage to speak truth, patience to wait for Your justice,
and joy to praise You even in the hardest times.
You are my strength and my salvation. Amen.

Nahum: The God Who Brings Justice and Comfort

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The Book of Nahum is a brief but powerful message of God’s justice and mercy. Written sometime between 663 and 612 BCE, Nahum’s prophecy announces the downfall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire — a nation known for its arrogance, violence, and cruelty. The Assyrians had crushed Israel and terrorized their neighbors, believing themselves unstoppable.

But Nahum declares that God had not forgotten the cries of the oppressed. The prophet speaks of a God who is both mighty in power and rich in mercy — a God who will not allow injustice to stand forever.

“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.” — Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble; He cares for those who trust in Him.” — Nahum 1:7

These verses capture the balance of God’s nature: just and merciful, righteous and kind. Nahum’s name means comfort, and that is exactly what this book offers — comfort to those who suffer under oppression, reminding them that evil has its day, but not the final word.

The empires of the world rise and fall, but the reign of God endures. In every generation, there is a “Nineveh” — a power or system that exalts itself above justice and compassion. Nahum reminds us that God’s justice will prevail and that His people can always find refuge in His care.

In a time when arrogance and cruelty often seem to dominate headlines, Nahum’s words speak deeply to our hearts. God’s justice may appear delayed, but it is never denied. God still brings down the proud and lifts up the humble. And for those who trust in Him, even in the darkest moments, there is peace in knowing that God is both our Judge and our Refuge.

Prayer

Righteous and Merciful God,
You see the suffering of the innocent and hear the cries of the oppressed. You are slow to anger and rich in love, yet You do not let evil go unpunished. Help me to live with faith in Your justice and to find comfort in Your goodness.
When the world feels dark and unjust, remind me that You are my refuge, my strength, and my peace.
Teach me to be an agent of Your justice and a bearer of Your compassion.
In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, I pray. Amen.

Blessing

(From Hymn 666, United Methodist Hymnal)

Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.

Living Shalom: A Wholeness Shaped by Peace and Faith

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By Roy Pearson

Introduction

In a world often filled with division, noise, and unrest, the ancient Hebrew word Shalom offers a message our hearts long to hear. More than just “peace,” shalom speaks of wholeness, harmony, and the fullness of life that comes from living in right relationship with God, with one another, and within ourselves.

As a follower of Jesus, I’ve come to see that shalom is not just a beautiful word from Jewish tradition — it is also a divine calling, one that shapes how I live, love, and seek to follow Christ each day.

The Depth of Shalom

In Hebrew, shalom (שָׁלוֹם) comes from the root sh-l-m, meaning completeness, soundness, or fulfillment. To wish someone shalom is to bless them with life made whole — a life healed of its fractures and reconciled in every way.

Scripture paints this vision vividly. The prophets longed for a day when shalom would fill the earth — when justice and mercy would embrace, and every person would live in safety and dignity. Shalom is not the mere absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, truth, and compassion — the restoration of all things in God’s design.

Following Jesus, Living Shalom

For those of us who follow Jesus, shalom finds its fullest expression in Him. Jesus often greeted people with peace and offered a kind of peace that transcends fear and violence:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” — John 14:27

To live shalom as a disciple of Christ is to let His love flow through us — to be peacemakers who bring reconciliation where there is division, healing where there is pain, and understanding where there is misunderstanding.

It means:

  • Seeking wholeness in our inner life, so that our actions reflect our faith.
  • Practicing kindness and forgiveness, even when it’s difficult.
  • Standing for justice and mercy, for peace without justice is not shalom.
  • Living with gratitude and humility, trusting God to make all things whole.

Every act of compassion, every prayer for unity, and every choice to love in the face of anger is a small but sacred way of living shalom.

A Blessing of Peace

As I reflect on this, I am reminded of how beautifully the word shalom bridges our faith traditions — linking the ancient hope of Israel with the living peace of Christ. It calls us to be instruments of wholeness in a fragmented world.

And so, I close with the words of blessing from Hymn 666 in The United Methodist Hymnal — a hymn that captures the spirit of both shalom and discipleship:

Shalom to you now, shalom, my friends.
May God’s full mercies bless you, my friends.
In all your living and through your loving,
Christ be your shalom, Christ be your shalom.

Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet and the Boundless Mercy of God

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Today, I read the Book of Jonah — a story that, though short, reaches deep into the heart of what it means to know God. It’s a tale filled with humor, irony, and divine tenderness. On the surface, it’s the story of a prophet who runs away from his calling. But beneath that simple narrative lies a profound lesson about mercy, prejudice, and the wideness of God’s compassion.

A Message Beyond the Whale

God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh — a powerful and violent city, the capital of Israel’s enemies. Instead of obeying, Jonah runs the other way. He would rather face a storm at sea and the belly of a great fish than see God show mercy to people he despises.

But God’s mercy cannot be outrun. After Jonah’s reluctant obedience, Nineveh repents. The people fast, pray, and turn from their violence. And God spares them. Jonah, instead of rejoicing, grows angry. It is in that moment — under a withering vine and a scorching sun — that God reveals the story’s heart: “Should I not be concerned for Nineveh?”

This question echoes through the centuries, asking each of us: Shouldn’t we care, too?

The Meaning for Our Time

In today’s divided world, Jonah’s story feels strikingly modern. We live in an age of “us versus them” — where politics, religion, and identity have become walls instead of bridges. Like Jonah, we sometimes hope that God will vindicate us and punish “the other side.”

Yet Jonah reminds us that God’s love is larger than our fears and prejudices. The same mercy that reached a foreign city also reaches us. God cares not just for those who call on His name, but for all people — even those we find hardest to love.

The story asks us to let go of our anger, our moral superiority, and our certainties about who deserves grace. It calls us to become instruments of compassion in a world hungry for forgiveness.

A Personal Reflection

When I think about Jonah, I see my own resistance mirrored in his. There are times I would rather avoid the places God calls me to — especially when those places involve forgiveness, humility, or speaking truth in uncomfortable settings. Yet God patiently pursues me, not to punish but to teach. The story of Jonah reminds me that faith is not just about obedience — it’s about allowing my heart to be transformed by love.

A Prayer

Gracious God, teach me to see the world as You see it. When I am tempted to run from Your calling, give me courage to obey. When I wish for judgment, teach me mercy. Open my heart to love those I find difficult to understand. May Your compassion flow through me, healing what is broken in our world. Amen.

It is time to speak up and stand up

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I am greatly disturbed by the war of aggression in Ukraine and the annihilation of the Palestinians in Gaza. I am appalled at American Troops being deployed in American Cities, the Ice Raids, the arrests of immigrants and American Citizens, the deportations, the loss of free speech in the United States, and the oppression of people around the world by tyrannical governments like North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, El Salvador, Cuba, and yes, the United States.

I cannot sit idly and watch this without speaking up and standing up. As a follower of Jesus, I am reminded of the prophets of the Old Testament especially Obadiah. Here is how I see Obadiah’s message speaks to our current world.

1. The Purge of Immigrants

Edom’s sin was not only violence but indifference — standing by while their kin suffered, even benefiting from their pain.
When we see immigrants and refugees being rejected, detained, or expelled, we are seeing a modern echo of that same betrayal of kinship. In God’s eyes, all people share one human family.

Obadiah reminds us that prideful nations forget compassion — and when they turn their backs on the vulnerable, they invite their own moral decay. The prophetic call is clear: Welcome the stranger. Defend the displaced. Refuse to dehumanize those who seek refuge.

2. Troops in American Cities

The presence of troops among citizens reveals a breakdown of trust — when fear replaces community, and power replaces dialogue.
Edom trusted in its fortresses, thinking no one could bring them down. Likewise, when nations depend on military strength to control their own people, they forget that true security comes from justice, not force.

Obadiah’s voice cries out: “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” Power used without humility always turns inward, eroding the very peace it seeks to preserve.

3. Revenge and Political Enemies

Obadiah’s central warning is about the spirit of vengeance — rejoicing when another falls. When leaders or movements seek revenge rather than reconciliation, they replay the tragedy of Edom.

The prophet insists that “the day of the Lord is near for all nations; as you have done, it shall be done to you.”
Retribution breeds retribution. A society rooted in revenge cannot heal. God calls us instead to truth, repentance, and mercy — the only paths that lead to renewal.

4. The War in Ukraine

Obadiah’s message to Edom — that no nation can glorify itself through conquest or betrayal — echoes here.
When a stronger nation invades a weaker one, it embodies the arrogance God condemns: the illusion that power grants moral right. But Obadiah’s prophecy assures us that injustice will not stand forever — God’s justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.

For those who suffer under aggression, Obadiah offers comfort: “The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” The oppressed will be restored; peace will come again.

5. The War in Gaza

Here the tragedy of Edom and Israel feels painfully close — brothers at war, ancient wounds reopened. Obadiah reminds us that when kin destroy one another, everyone loses.
Both peoples — Israeli and Palestinian — trace their stories back to the same region, the same soil, the same God who calls them to justice and mercy.

The prophet’s vision of God’s kingdom — “and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” — invites us to imagine a world beyond vengeance, where both sides are freed from fear and grief, and where peace is not the victory of one over another but the reign of God’s compassion over all.

🌿 A Reflection for Our Time

The Book of Obadiah calls every nation and every person to humility.
When we build walls instead of bridges, when we use power to dominate rather than to serve, when we rejoice in another’s downfall — we become Edom.
But when we defend the oppressed, welcome the stranger, and work for reconciliation — we join in God’s redemptive work.

The choice before our generation is the same as before Edom: Pride or compassion, revenge or justice, isolation or solidarity.

🙏 A Closing Prayer

God of all nations and peoples,
You see the pride of our hearts and the pain of our divisions.
Forgive us for standing by while others suffer.
Break the cycle of revenge that poisons our world.
Give us courage to speak truth, to defend the weak, and to live humbly in Your sight.
Let Your kingdom come — a kingdom where mercy triumphs over judgment,
and peace replaces pride.
Amen.

The Message of Obadiah: Pride, Justice, and Hope in a Broken World

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The book of Obadiah is only twenty-one verses long, yet it thunders with timeless truth. It is a prophecy against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who turned against their brother nation, Israel, in a time of crisis. When Jerusalem was attacked and her people suffered, Edom stood by and watched — even rejoiced. Their pride and indifference toward their kin’s pain became their downfall.

At its core, Obadiah is a warning about the destructive power of pride and the inevitable triumph of divine justice. God sees how people and nations treat one another, especially the vulnerable. The prophet declares that a “day of the Lord” is coming when every act of cruelty, betrayal, and arrogance will be judged — and righteousness will be restored.

Obadiah’s Voice in Today’s World

We live in a time much like Obadiah’s — a world divided by pride, nationalism, and indifference to suffering. Nations turn their backs on one another. Many rejoice when their rivals stumble. Pride blinds us to compassion, and the human family fractures further apart.

The message of Obadiah speaks across the centuries:

“As you have done, it shall be done to you.” (Obadiah 1:15)

In those words, God reminds us that injustice and cruelty always come full circle. No nation, system, or individual can stand secure on a foundation of arrogance. The more we exalt ourselves, the deeper the fall.

But Obadiah also holds out a vision of hope:

“The kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 1:21)

This final line shifts the focus from vengeance to restoration. It points to a future where God’s justice and mercy prevail — where human pride gives way to divine peace.

A Personal Reflection

When I look at the world around me, I see so many “Edoms” — and sometimes I see traces of Edom in myself. When I turn away from someone’s pain or feel a quiet satisfaction in another’s misfortune, I hear Obadiah’s voice whisper, “Do not gloat over your brother’s day of distress.”

Obadiah calls me to humility — to stand beside those who suffer, to resist the easy temptation of judgment, and to trust that God’s justice will come in God’s time.

A Personal Pledge

I pledge to walk humbly before God,
to reject pride and indifference,
and to use my voice for compassion, reconciliation, and truth.
May I never stand idly by when others are in need,
but instead become a bridge of healing in a divided world.

A Closing Prayer

Gracious God,
teach us the lessons of Obadiah.
Strip away our pride and our false sense of security.
Open our eyes to the suffering of our brothers and sisters,
and move us to act with love, courage, and mercy.
Let Your kingdom come — a kingdom of justice, humility, and peace.
Amen.

Who Was Amos: A Reflection on the book of Amos

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Amos lived in the 8th century B.C., during a time of peace and prosperity for Israel under King Jeroboam II. He was not a priest or scholar, but a shepherd and dresser of sycamore trees from Tekoa, a small town in Judah. God called this humble man to travel north to Israel and speak against the injustices and corruption that flourished there. Amos was a reluctant prophet — a simple man sent to confront powerful elites.

His story reminds us that God can use ordinary people to speak extraordinary truth, especially when the world becomes blind to its moral decay.

The Message of the Book

The central message of Amos is justice, righteousness, and genuine worship.
Israel had become wealthy and outwardly religious, but their society was marked by oppression, greed, and inequality. People went to temple, offered sacrifices, and sang songs of praise — yet they ignored the poor, cheated the vulnerable, and lived in comfort while others suffered.

Amos thundered,

“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” (Amos 5:24)

He declared that true faith is not measured by religious rituals, but by how we treat one another. God rejects hollow worship if our hearts are hard and our hands are unjust.

What It Means Today

Amos’s voice is as urgent now as it was then. His words challenge us — not to turn away from suffering, corruption, or moral compromise, but to live as people who reflect God’s heart for justice and compassion.

For you, Roy, as someone who has walked a long road of faith and conscience, Amos calls you to keep being a truth-teller, a lover of mercy, and a voice for the voiceless, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky. It means standing in solidarity with those who are oppressed, staying humble, and letting your life — not just your words — testify to God’s righteousness.

Amos reminds us that faith without justice is empty, but justice without love is harsh. The fruit of the Spirit — love, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness — all flow together in Amos’s vision of a world where God’s people live what they pray.

Perhaps Amos’s message for you today is this:

“Roy, keep speaking truth in love. Don’t grow weary. Even if you stand alone, remember that righteousness begins with one heart fully surrendered to God’s justice.”

Personal Reflection

When I think of Amos, I am reminded of my father — a man with only a fourth-grade education but with the wisdom of heaven in his soul. He preached sermons that stirred hearts, not because of his learning, but because of his deep faith and love for truth. Like Amos, he spoke plainly and powerfully, and his words still echo in my heart today. I realize that God doesn’t require eloquence or education to use us — only a willing heart and a passion for justice and love.

My Pledge

I pledge to live with integrity, to speak truth with courage and compassion, and to act justly toward all people. I will not be silent when I see wrong, nor hard-hearted when I see suffering. Like Amos — and like my father — I want to be a simple voice for God’s righteousness, letting justice and mercy flow through my life each day.

Prayer and Blessing

Holy and Righteous God,
Thank You for the example of Amos — the shepherd who became a prophet — and for the memory of my father, who lived and spoke Your truth so faithfully. Give me the courage to stand for justice, the humility to listen, and the tenderness to love. Let my words be seasoned with grace and my actions filled with compassion. May Your Spirit guide me to be a light of truth and a vessel of peace in a divided world.

Blessing:
May righteousness roll through our hearts like mighty waters,
and may love overflow like an ever-flowing stream.
Amen.