Contemplative Bible Reading

Amos 5:23-24 (New Living Translation)

23 Away with your noisy hymns of praise!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,
an endless river of righteous living.

God is speaking to the people through the prophet Amos. Once again, God wants justice and righteousness. God likes hymns of praise as long as they are more than check-the-box NOISE.

I have attended some church gatherings where the singing was pretty bad. I have attended some church gatherings where the singing was great—on time, in tune, great on the ears.

What did God think of these gatherings and their singing? I don’t know. I’m not God. I can’t go beyond what I hear and know what is felt in the hearts of those gathered and singing. Did those folks have justice and righteousness in their hearts? I cannot know.

A lifetime ago, I sat in a church building each Sunday and Wednesday. Sitting right behind me was a lady named Ann Robertson. Miss Ann couldn’t “sing a lick” if you judge by any musical standard. Yet, she sang and sang and sang. I believe she had justice and righteousness in her heart and she showed it in her life. Thank you Miss Ann.

God, please help me in my unbelief. Please help me to be more like Miss Ann and less like a striving musician.