Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Amos 8: 4-8

Hear this, you who trample on the needy, and bring to ruin the poor of the land, saying “When will the new moon be over so that we may sell grain and the Sabbath, so that we may offer wheat for sale?” We will make the ephah small and the shekel great, and practice deceit with the false balances, buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals and selling the sweepings of the wheat! The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: Surely, I will never forget any of their deeds. Shall not the land tremble on this account, and everyone who mourns who lives in it, and all of it rise like the Nile and be tossed about and sink again, like the Nile of Egypt?

A little commentary beneath this hymn reads: “This hymn was generated by 19^th century centennial celebrations: the words of the Declaration of Independence and the music by the adoption of the United States Constitution. Despite these origins, no specific nation is mentioned in this hymn of praise and prayer for peace.”

The allusions to Amos 8: 4-8 are found in stanzas 2 and 3: “Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, thy work our law, thy paths our chosen way. Thy true religion in our hears increase. Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.”

The Amos text points out that God has little patience with those who mistreat the poor and the needy. God will not forget those who have dealt unfairly with others.

Prayer

O God help us to be more sensitive and responsive to the poor and needy. Help us always to be true and fair in our dealings with others. Where we have failed; forgive us and help us to amend our ways. These things we ask in the name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.