Israel would not listen to what God was trying to tell them. When Jeroboam heard Amos’ message, he drove him away. If only they had listened and faced up to their wrongs, however, then God would have been so quick to forgive and restore them. Notice in the first part of this chapter how God demonstrates this readiness to forgive. The account is significant because we find the same pattern repeated. Hence something is being highlighted. Amos, on two consecutive occasions, saw judgement approaching, the first in the form of a plague of locusts and the second a great fire. But the moment Amos cried out for God to forgive his people and save them, God relented. He relented from judgement without any hesitation. God’s merciful response was immediate as though he was longing for Amos to give him the slightest excuse to show mercy. Never be reticent to cry out to God for forgiveness no matter how far you have strayed. God longs for his lost children no matter how far they stray and no matter what they do. He receives them back eagerly. He is slow to discipline but quick to forgive. The prayer for mercy, demonstrated here by Amos, is the first step toward restoration. It is a necessary step because it is the first gesture of acknowledgement of the truth of our situation and a recognition of our need of God. God longs for you to cry out to him in genuine need and desire for restoration. He will not delay in forgiving you. There is nothing God delights in doing more than showing mercy.
Cry out to God for mercy and restoration.
Read Amos 7
