The Day of the Lord!

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:24 ESV) Our theme for the next several Sundays will be The Day of the Lord! As we focus on the Biblical image of the End Times, we will see its importance for our everyday living. Today, Amos reminds us that the Day of the LORD is unavoidable. But this is a good thing when we consider what it will mean for us then and now in Jesus.

With the arrival of winter, the days are growing shorter, and the nights are getting colder. For some it can awaken a number of different feelings. The holidays can bring back fond memories of our childhood or the sad realization of a loss we have experienced and the empty feelings we have inside. In general, the euphoric pressure from those around us might make us feel overwhelmed or depressed. This is exactly when we need to consider God’s Word so that our fears can be “holy fears” and our joy can be based in Him.

One common theme from the three lessons today, but especially from Amos 5:18-24, is the Day of the LORD or what we sometimes call Judgement Day. There are several things we should note about this teaching from the book of Amos – namely how The Day of the LORD is certain to come. It cannot be avoided. Amos’ ministry was to those that are overly optimistic in their own piety. Here the Lord had a very somber warning. First, the Day of the LORD is darkness and not light! This is certainly not the time to start trusting in our own efforts. Any over imagination of our ability to deal with one another in equity should be rethought. Second, when we try to solve our own problem, it leads to more. One situation actually turns into something even worse like fleeing a lion only to meet a bear, and then fleeing the bear and being bit by a scorpion. However, the prophecy of the End does end with a beautiful image of the justice of God cascading down like water and His righteousness as a dry river turned into a torrent of refreshment. This “coming down” should be a hint to us that justice and righteousness do not emanate from us but rather come from Him.

The Gospel lesson and Epistle actually help us to see that this is indeed the case. The Day of the LORD was indeed darkness as the sin of all the world was cast upon the sinless Son of God whose descent from Heaven to death to the depths of Hell to a resurrection would open wide the door of Life to you and me. In Baptism into Him, the oil of gladness is poured into our lives so that we wait with eager expectation His coming at the Day of the LORD. For as He rose so we too shall rise in Him, first those who have died in the Lord but also those who are yet living in Him as together we meet Him in the air! His justice came down and we were made just. His righteousness came rolling over us and we were declared right. Our lives are now a living testimony to His death and resurrection. Our celebration of the Lord’s Supper on the Lord’s Day is the foretaste of the Day of the LORD and the joy that yet awaits us and all the saints at the marriage feast of the Lamb and His Bride – the Church.

As we near the end of the church year and the beginning of another Advent season, we wait for the Day of the LORD and His appearing with eager expectation. Even now we live with faith and hope as we serve our neighbor in justice and righteousness that comes from Him.

Pastor Carl