Daily Worship

A restoration-people following a God of restoration

Iain Jamieson April 28, 2025 4 2
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Amos 9: 13-14 (NIVUK)

13 ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord,

‘when the reaper will be overtaken by the ploughman
    and the planter by the one treading grapes.
New wine will drip from the mountains
    and flow from all the hills,

14 

    and I will bring my people Israel back from exile.

‘They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them.
    They will plant vineyards and drink their wine;
    they will make gardens and eat their fruit.

The days Amos describes are coming. They are you know. 

I’ve been on the planet for 57 years as of 24th April this year. As an adult, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the world in such a state. It’s not (as I’ve heard pointed out to me) that there’s a world war going on but there is “a world at war”. Gaza, Ukraine… I could go on. 

It can feel as if things are hopeless and broken but Amos tells us — instead — to be hopeful. This passage speaks to equality and fairness amongst us — irrespective of where we are born or our circumstances. 

Things can change. 

Things DO change.

As a doctor, trust me, things can alter in ways we never expected or saw coming. I have learned to expect the unexpected. In an instant. That change can be wonderful, better than we ever imagined. Yes, it can go the other way. However, think of it for a second, there is at least a 50% chance it will be better. Always. It’s just maths.

As Christians we have an advantage in all of this. We have this thing called faith and we have this gift called prayer, another one called the Holy Spirit, another one called Jesus! God Himself! New wine will drip from the mountains and flow through the hills.

Even in the darkest moments a little light will defeat the darkest of dark, that just maths too. We can invite that light in, through the presence of Christ. All we need do is ask and believe that Christ will come – and he will. And then we will plant vineyards and drink the wine; we will make gardens and eat the fruit.

 

Prayer:

 

Lord God, though it all looks black

 

There is a light

 

Let me let it in.

 

Let me let you in.

 

And let me see with new eyes.