Listen to Devotion

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria . . . You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

Healthy living is a mantra these days. Just check out social media and articles. Weight loss, food choices, fitness goals, vacation plans, improving the comfort of your home—all these are part of healthy living, we’re told.

But what about our souls?

It’s not a sin to enjoy good food and fine living. But God’s people at Amos’ time were complacent. They lived in luxury while their spiritual lives were deplorable. The body was the picture of health, but the soul was sick and wretched. They kept on feasting, lounging, and partying without any concern for their faith, their status before God, their eternity.

God did not approve. God wanted them to refocus on him and his ways for their own spiritual good. So, he warned them that he would end their careless lifestyle. They would be carried off into exile.

Today, many of us live in relative luxury. We have more money, food, and things than most in the world will ever see in their lifetime. That’s not a sin. That’s a blessing from God. But are our priorities misplaced? What about our spiritual life? What about God’s approval?

God approved of his Son, Jesus, and he transfers that approval to you and me, through faith. He gives us the eternal food of forgiveness through Jesus. God blesses us with eternal life, paid for by Jesus at the cross.

Feast your faith on that amazing gift and God’s wonderful promises. Feast your faith on Jesus and his love. That’s healthy living.

Dear Father, thank you for all your rich gifts in my life. Help me to use it all to your glory, and to keep my focus on you. Feed my faith with your forgiving promises in Jesus. Bring me to your eternal banquet in heaven. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.