Advent Daybook 2: The words of Amos
Look: The Prophet Amos, Barry Moser - source
Listen: Messiah: Part the First: No. 10 Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, George Frideric Handel, Robert Shaw Orchestra - Text | Spotify | YouTube
Read: Psalm 1, 2, 3, Amos 1:1-2, 2:6-16; 2 Peter 1:1-11; Matthew 21:1-11
Excerpts:
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."
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"Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
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"The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers....”
Also it was I who brought you up out of the land of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. And I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Is it not indeed so, O people of Israel?” declares the Lord.
'But you made the Nazirites drink wine, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘You shall not prophesy.’ Behold, I will press you down in your place, as a cart full of sheaves presses down. Flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life; he who handles the bow shall not stand, and he who is swift of foot shall not save himself, nor shall he who rides the horse save his life; and he who is stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked in that day,” declares the Lord."
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"Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people!"
Selah
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"This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying,
'Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’
And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!' And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, 'Who is this?' And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
- Psalm 1:1-2 * Psalm 2:10-12 * Amos 1:1-2, 2:10-16 * Psalm 3:7-8 * Matthew 21:4-5, 9-11 (ESV)
Pray: From 2 Peter 1:10-11 "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (NIV)
"Lord our God, we thank you that you have given us an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We thank you that you have already begun to give us new vision, that already many things are being transformed, so that we may go gladly and confidently on our way with hope for whatever is still unsolved. May all this live in our hearts and fill us with thanks to you. We want to be courageous and keep in sight what still needs to be changed. Then we can take part as workers in your vineyard. May the light you have given us continue to shine in us and burn ever more brightly, as you have promised. Amen."
- by Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt - source
Do: As you read today's Scripture passages, pay attention to what word or short phrase especially stirs your heart.
Write that word or phrase in a journal or on a piece of paper you'll be able to see often. As you move about your day, recall this word or phrase as a way to collect your scattered self back into the loving, faithful presence of God.
Savor scripture
You might also enjoy: A few simple ways to decorate for Advent
For an introduction read this post: Advent Daybook Explained. You can see previous Advent daybook 2018 posts here.
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** Sunday Scripture readings are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary (Year A). Daily Scripture readings are taken from the Book of Common Prayer (Year 2).