Seek the Lord That You May Live

Note from today’s Bible reading: Isaiah 7-8; Amos 1-5

Amos revealed God’s prophecy in order to turn the people of Israel back to Him. God’s message was this: “Seek Me that you may live” (Amos 5:4).

Unfortunately, what many of them did when they faced trouble – just as many do today – was look for help in other places instead of turning to the Lord. So God said, “Do not resort to Bethel and do not come to Gilgal, nor cross over to Beersheba; for Gilgal will certainly go into captivity and Bethel will come to trouble” (Amos 5:5). Then He repeated the admonition, “Seek the Lord that you may live” (Amos 5:6).

Interestingly, a few verses later, a similar admonition is given but with a slight change to the wording: “Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and thus may the Lord God of hosts be with you” (Amos 5:14). Seeking God was about more than just acknowledging Him and recognizing His power and ability to save. They also needed to do what was right and give up what was sinful.

Many religious people today claim to “seek the Lord,” yet they are content to remain in their sin. Rather than doing what the Lord has instructed them to do, they follow the course of the world around them. Yet, if we want the Lord to save us, we must follow Him in His way.

So seek the Lord that you may live. Only He can save us. Yet we must be willing to repudiate our sins and strive to do His will in all things.