They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks the truth. Therefore because you trample on the poor and you exact taxes of grain from him, you have built houses of hewn stone, but you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink their wine. For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe, and turn aside the needy in the gate. Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. Seek good, and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, as you have said. Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:10-15 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/amo.5.10-15.ESV
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps, I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:21-24 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/amo.5.21-24.ESV
One day, I was going to work, but suddenly, I decided I was hungry and drove up to the drive-through line at McDonald’s. I noticed a young man trying to get the attention of two people standing before him talking. I decided to park my car, go inside, and give myself and the young man something to eat. To my surprise and Greif, though not mine but the Holy Spirit’s Greif, when I approached the young man to ask if he was hungry, I overheard the two people talking about God’s grace, goodness, and blessings. They blatantly ignored him. I didn’t have much; in fact, I was struggling with poor health. I had just gotten out of the hospital, and I was stressed because I didn’t have rent money, so of course, I also felt hurt. This was how I was treated in my time of great need by my ex-husband, who refused to get a job, and relatives because he refused to work and take responsibility. I couldn’t understand why those I helped in their need treated me with this same indifference; I related to the hungry young man.
Afterward, I came out with the Ultimate Breakfast in one hand, and in the other, I held an Egg McMuffin and a small milk. The young man reached for the small order. I pulled it back and said no, this one was for me, and I gave him the Ultimate Breakfast. I saw hypocrisy at its core when I walked away and felt the grief of God within me because I, too, had turned Him away when someone was hungry or gossiped when someone was struggling to get by and judging them. I felt ashamed. I believe the young man was an angel in disguise, and God wanted to bless me through him, not the other way around. When I finally made it to work, my eyes were swollen from the tears. I was overwhelmed with the fear of homelessness and little food. My client asked why I was crying, and I shared my concerns with her. She was more of a friend than a client; when I finished working and walked towards the front door to leave, there lay a large box filled with groceries. She didn’t reproof me for my mistakes; she gave me love through the Hands of Christ. Other times, God used my daughters and even strangers to help me when hiding from my ex; they provided food for me when I struggled between paying rent and food. The lesson in God’s word is to love justice, give mercy, and walk humbly with God because we can be like the young man at the gate in the blink of an eye. Your wealth can grow wings and fly away; trust the Lord of Host; He is our source and strength. May we be the Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ, showing the same mercy He has shown us; let God be the judge; we are not God.
Dear God, forgive me for the many times I turned away from You when You were hungry; I did not give You food. When You were thirsty, I did not give you drink; when You were homeless or in prison, I did not give You shelter or visit You. Lord, help me walk in Your ways, fill me with Your love, compassion, mercy, and kindness, and help me take the log out of my own eyes before I try to take the speck out of another’s eye. May my actions be aligned with Your heart for the poor and the needy. I surrender my hands and feet to You; use me as a vessel of Your virtues, and cleanse me of all unrighteousness in Jesus’ name, amen.